Inclusion - Additional Support Needs
Q1. |
What is inclusion? What does it mean? |
A. |
Inclusion is making sure that as many children and young people as possible can benefit from attending schools in their own community.There is a long history of inclusive practice in schools in Shetland, The Government has now made it a law that children should be able to go to their local school. This law talks about “the presumption of mainstream” and tells all Authorities that they must consider mainstream provision first for every child We have no special schools in Shetland but there are special (Additional Support Needs) departments in several schools. The two biggest schools, Bell'sBrae and the Anderson High offer outreach support to more rural settings, in the form of advice and sometimes additional staff time. This is to help them support the child in their own community. Inclusion isn’t just about physically being able to attend the local school but is also about making sure that the right resources are in place to allow the child to fully “join in” and be part of their class and their school, not only educationally but socially too. Some children need major adaptions to buildings to be included eg ramps, elevators and disabled toilets. Others need learning support, or a teacher for the hearing or visually impaired. Each child with support needs is different and the Authority undertakes to try and meet these needs as fully as possible. Sometimes, social inclusion, ie. friendships, after school activities, is harder for the Authority to achieve but this is an area of great importance for Shetland Islands council and we are making good progress, through initiatives like peer support, out-of-school clubs, safe havens in school and the use of Circle Time particularly in primary classes. . Additional Information |