Contact welcomes new approach following alarming exclusions rise

2 mins read

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Tags: EHC plans, exclusions, behaviour, sen support, suspensions, specialist workforce

This news story applies to England only.

Education leaders have suggested that the new government will seek to prevent schools disproportionately excluding children with special educational needs (SEN).

This follows the Department for Education’s release of suspension and exclusion data in the academic year 2022/23. The figures show a huge increase in suspensions – 786,981 from 578,280 the previous year. Permanent exclusions rose to 9,376, up from 6,495 in 2022/23.

The most common reason for both is persistent disruptive behaviour. But often schools are not properly following behaviour policies and sending disabled children home illegally. Many education settings are failing to make reasonable adjustments. And on top of this, a lack of funding for SEN support in schools means even when schools are doing the best they can, the support is not there.

We welcome signs the government wants to see exclusion used only as a last resort, not as a behavioural “fix”.

Anna Bird, Chief Executive of disability charity Contact, said: “The impact of exclusion can be devastating on a disabled child. It makes them feel isolated and affects their confidence and attendance, as they don’t feel like they belong in the school environment. Parents are often unable to work.

“We’d like to see the government enhance support for disabled pupils in mainstream schools by boosting funding, legal entitlements and access to specialists. This will make disabled pupils feel welcome and included in the school environment. In the long-term, this will reduce the need for education, health and care (EHC) plans.”