Nursery World - Make councils inclusive of SEN, ministers urged

The Government is being urged to take heed of its own statistics and urge local authorities to adopt stronger inclusion policies for children with statements of special educational needs. In an analysis of Government data, the Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) found that pupils in South Tyneside were 24 times more likely to be placed in special schools or other segregated settings than those in Newham, east London.

In an analysis of Government data, the Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) found that pupils in South Tyneside were 24 times more likely to be placed in special schools or other segregated settings than those in Newham, east London.

CSIE co-director Mark Vaughan said, 'All LEAs are working to the same laws and regulations, which call for inclusion of disabled pupils. It is time for the Government to take a firmer hand and get the higher segregating authorities to develop stronger inclusion policies.'

Between 2002 and 2004, Newham placed 0.06 per cent of children aged from nought to 19 with SEN statements in special schools or other segregated settings, while South Tyneside placed 1.46 per cent. The Wirral, Halton and Knowsley LEAs in the north-west had the next highest rates, at 1.34 per cent, 1.32 per cent and 1.32 per cent.

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