CALL Centre

Key statutes policy & strategy

Steering Group: 30th January 2004

CALL’s work & the policy environment

To look at some of the CALL Centre work in the context of the wider policy environment

CALL objectives:– Assessment & support– Information & training– Loans & technical services– Research & development in SEN & ICT

The policy environment– Legislation– Policy & strategy

Legislation

Legislation relevant to education: ICT & SENa) Education (Scotland) Act 1980b) Data Protection Act 1998 c) Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002d) Disability Discrimination Act 1995e) Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001f) Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000g) Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils’

Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002h) Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Bill

Legislation & public policy

Policy & strategy relevant to education: ICT & SEN Improving our Schools – Special Educational Needs (The

Scottish Executive Response to the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Education of Children with Severe Low Incidence Disabilities)

National Priorities in Education How Good is our School Manual of Good Practice 5-14 Assessment & Testing For Scotland’s Children Review of Therapies McCrone and Continuing Professional Development

Data Protection Act 1998

Right to know what information held about you Inaccurate information must be corrected Enforceable data protection principles CALL work:

– Mostly relevant to procedures in CALL e.g. mailing lists, passwording

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002

Right of access to information held by Scottish public authorities

Information provided in applicant’s preferred format CALL work:

– Examples include preparing graphic resources, pictures & symbols, NOF training

– Advice on adapting information resources

DDA 1995 Part IV SEN & Disability Act 2001

Prevent discrimination because of disability in education Mustn’t treat disabled learners less favourably Reasonable adjustments to avoid disadvantage Doesn’t apply to auxiliary aids and services nor to the

removal of physical barriers CALL work:

– DRC Code of Practice case studies– Training courses to education senior and middle

management– All assessment work considers DDA & SENDA 2001– NOF

Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000

New principles– right to receive school education– purpose of education: promote development of

personality, talents & mental & physical abilities– education authorities must have regard to the views

of children and young people– presumption of mainstream placement, unless

CALL work:– Response to consultation– Facilitation meetings– SEED SEN Innovation project– Embedded in assessment & support work

Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils’ Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002

Duties in line with DDA and following SENDA 2001– strategy to improve access to physical environment,

curriculum, communication and information with disabled pupils (Accessibility Strategies).

– duty on LAs, independent and grant-aided schools– first written accessibility strategies by April 2003

CALL work:– Consultation phase: Accessibility guidance re. ICT,

access to alternative information, communication and curriculum

– Courses to LA staff both at CALL and in LA– Several LAs consulted CALL on draft access strategies

Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill 2003

Replaces the term “special educational needs” with “additional support needs” (ASN), covering other needs.

Summary of provisions:– identify and address ASN– consider if child needs Coordinated Support Plan (CSP)– CSPs only if long-term multiple or complex factors

where other agency involvement– Respond to assessment requests– End to Future Needs Assessment– Code of Practice– Independent mediation, dispute resolution, appeals /

ASN Tribunal

ASL Bill 2003 (contd.) CALL implementation:

– Responded to consultation documents at all phases– Attended facilitation meetings– Information through New in CALL– Presented key information on changes to LA

personnel– Through partner agency (Sense Scotland):

Responded to request for written evidence from Scottish Parliament Education Committee

Gave oral evidence to Education Committee Responded to requests for additional information form MSPs Responded to Education Committee Stage 1 report Liaison with other partner agencies Will submit amendments

Children (Scotland) Act 1995

Now the principal Act for children’s services Fulfils Government obligations on implementing the

UN Convention of the rights of the child and the European Convention on human rights

Based on important principles:– welfare of child is paramount– children’s views to be sought and taken into account– child’s religion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic

background given due regard when providing services CALL work:

– SEED SEN Innovation grants on Listening to and consulting children: partner agency (Sense Scotland) as grant-holder

Public Policy: National Priorities

Five priorities:– Achievement and Attainment– Framework for Learning– Inclusion and Equality– Values and Citizenship– Learning for Life

CALL work:– Worked in all forms of inclusion settings since 1982– Focus on IEPs within assessment reports– Supportive writing methods and practices– SEN & Inclusion conferences; courses– Joint agency working practices

Public Policy: 5-14 Assessment & Testing

Reviewing future of assessment & testing Has to reflect DDA, SENDA & Accessibility CALL work:

– Partner agencies: SQA, NABs, LTS– ICT & SEN module– ICTSLS partnership– Focus on IEPs and 5-14– Courses on supportive writing arrangements