A recent report for the Local Government Association found that the SEND system is failing many, causing “long-term misery, stress and hardship” for families. In response, Professor Louise Holt, Human Geography expert at Loughborough University, argues the debate needs to fully focus on children’s rights.

“There are two rights which are critical to the debate around delivery of SEND education: the right to fulfil their potential and the right to be heard. My research with children and young people, as well as professionals and parent/carers, has grappled with these issues of social importance and has found that children are rarely asked what they want or need and their voices are seldom heard in policy or media discussions. Parents' knowledge is often belittled or undervalued.

“I have found that both children and their parents want quality education which provides them with full educational and social inclusion. This isn’t about a specific setting – it’s about the people in the setting having clear understanding of a child’s potentials and barriers, supporting the removal of the barriers, and facilitating meaningful social interactions.

“Often children prioritise social connections, and it has been shown that children who have positive friendships are more likely to thrive in school. Schools provide what are known as ‘immersive geographies’ - repeated opportunities over time for children to form deep connections, yet social connections are often not prioritised by busy and over-stretched teachers.

“Too often, discussions about education for disabled and neurodiverse children are underpinned by widespread ableist or disablist ideas, which underplay these children’s rights, and present their mind-body-emotional difference as a deficiency. Substitute SEND with any other powerful social category (say gender) and think about how the debate would change if boys or girls (or any other social group) were as disproportionately failed or excluded in/from education.  

“My research suggests that the current legislative framework is world-leading in emphasising the rights of children; however, with over stretched teams and resources, schools need to be supported to fully focus on these rights during delivery. Children and parents' voices are essential to this.”

To arrange an interview with Professor Louise Holt, email the Public Relations team or call 01509 222224.

ENDS