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New programme to maximise potential of children with special needs
A new programme, the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP), has been launched to maximise the potential of children with special educational needs (SEN) and support schools and early years settings.
The £2 million project, launched by Schools Minister Andrew Adonis, has been developed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families in partnership with children’s communication charity I CAN and Dyslexia Action. It is a confidence-raising training programme for teachers, support staff and early years practitioners. It will improve the skills of teachers by advising them how to develop teaching strategies for children with SEN as well as providing guidance on dealing with common classroom challenges.
The training materials will initially focus on speech, language and communication needs and dyslexia. Training on autistic spectrum disorders, behavioural issues and moderate learning difficulties will be added over the next four years. The Training Development Agency is also currently piloting specialist material for trainee teachers to give them a skills base for working with children with SEN.
Talking about the programme, Andrew Adonis said: “Improving the life chances of children with special educational needs and disabilities is an absolute priority for us. A key part of that is equipping teachers with the skills and confidence to help children with a range of special educational needs.”
Virginia Beardshaw, I CAN Chief Executive, added: “Communication is the foundation life skill. Children with good communication skills learn, make friends and achieve. I CAN welcomes the launch of the IDP and is pleased to be working collaboratively with the Government sharing our expertise in children’s speech, language and communication development and disability. It is absolutely essential that the children’s workforce is skilled in how to support children’s communication needs. This is an excellent first step but there is still a great deal of work to do.”
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