‘The Special Needs agenda’ all set for the North West

Special Educational Needs (SEN) is firmly on the agenda today, as Manchester prepares to host one of the UK’s largest events. Over 6000 teachers and support staff are expected to head to the G-MEX Centre for ‘Special Needs North’ in a bid to find out more about the latest developments, personal training opportunities and the progress of ‘Every Child Matters’, the Government’s framework for local change, which covers the key points of ‘health, safety, enjoyment, positive contribution and achievement’.

The latter is one of the biggest changes seen in this field and

reflects the latest figures that highlight the North West as the area with the third highest concentration of pupils with statements of SEN behind London and the South East. Lorraine Petersen, Chief Executive Officer of nasen (the National Association for Special Educational Needs), believes this is the perfect time for schools and teachers to pull together: “Our event is an ideal opportunity for us to address the changes and ensure that people are aware of future trends and the support that is out there for them.”

She continued: “The headline address will be given by Hardip Begul, DfES Deputy Director Special Educational Needs and Disability and this is reinforced by over 30 interactive workshops and seminars, covering every topic imaginable including social, emotional and behavioural disorders, learning difficulties, medical conditions, physical and neurological disabilities and sensory impairment. “The North West has a big role to play in this, with over 50,000 pupils in mainstream and special schools needing extra support – the second highest in the UK and just a thousand short of the South East.

Lorraine added: “Furthermore, the area also has 415 schools with over 25% of its total number of students classed as pupils with SEN, nearly double that of the North East.” ‘Special Needs North’ also marks a special anniversary for nasen, which has been prominent in raising the profile of the sector. In the last fifteen years, the association has worked tirelessly to establish strong links with Government, political parties and educational institutions, providing a strong and influential voice in special education.

Its membership has grown to over 6000 teaching and support staff, who all enjoy a host of offers, the advantages of independent research and a comprehensive continuous development programme. “SEN is moving so quickly and we need to make sure we are in a position to influence and indeed react to any advancement and changes.” 2007 is proving no different and nasen is already airing concerns about the lack of transparency in funding and whether increases in investment is spent on the children who need it most.

There is also an ongoing debate about how a school can be inclusive and still be at the top of a league table.