Posted on Wednesday 20th Mar 2019
Children with special educational needs and disabilities should not be treated as problems, youngsters have told MPs.
"We're not problems, we're not just disabled, we're not just Send - we are human beings, the same as the rest of you," one youngster, Ben, told MPs.
Ben was one of seven disabled young people who appeared before the Commons Education Select Committee on Tuesday.
The MPs are gathering information on Send from a range of groups and will publish a report in the early summer.
Ben, who works for Ripstar, a group that conducts research by young people with disabilities for young people with disabilities, told MPs that education, health and care plans (EHCPs) for children with special needs should not be seen as a form or a process but as "a child's life".
They should be person- and life-focused and "not just about education", enabling young people to develop life skills, he said.
"We found out that plans are too educational-focused and not life-focused, so children are not receiving the support they need in other important areas, such as developing independence, having choice, control, achieving aspirations, life goals, friends, accessing the community."
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
20/11/24Medway education leader and head of Rivermead Inclusive Trust receives OBE from Prince William
An education boss, who left school without any basic qualifications and worked as a hospital cleaner to fund her teacher training, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Tina Lovey, who rose through the ranks and is now the boss of a thriving academy trust with schools across Medway, was awarded an OBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle.
19/11/24Special Educational Needs system 'has burst'
Children with complex needs are being sent to private schools up to 200 miles away from home because there is not enough capacity in the state system, a BBC investigation has found. Councils struggling to cope with an unprecedented number of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are increasingly reliant upon private providers. Headteachers say funding from government has not kept pace with soaring demand, meaning both mainstream and special schools are struggling to cope.
13/11/24‘Excessive’ 20 hours mentor training requirement scrapped
The government will also launch a new re-accreditation round for initial teacher training providers in spring
12/11/24Majority of parents not deterred by fines for term-time family holidays – survey
The Government should review the marketing and pricing of ‘rip-off’ family holidays, according to Parentkind charity.
11/11/24Anti-Bullying Week 2024: Choose Respect
Anti-Bullying Week 2024 will take place from Monday 11th - Friday 15th November, with the theme: Choose Respect.