1. Chairs of Governing Bodies Meeting 7 th May 2008 20 th May 2008

2. SEN and Disability

3. Since April 2007 Consultation on improving provision for SEN in Bedfordshire Paper went to Executive in January 2008

4. Recommendations Working on the recommendations in the context of the move to two new Unitary Authorities

5. Disability Equality

6. Definition “ A person has a disability if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”

7. SEN and Disability Act (2001) 3 Key Duties Not to treat disabled pupils less favourably for a reason related to their disability To make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, so they are not places at a substantial disadvantage To plan to increase access to education for disabled pupils

8. Planning duties Accessibility of the curriculum Accessibility of the environment Accessibility of information

9. Disability Equality Duty Introduced into the DDA in 2005 More proactive More explicit More involved More comprehensive

10. Duties Promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons Encourage participation by disabled persons in public life Promote equality of opportunity Eliminate disability related harassment Eliminate unlawful discrimination Use positive discrimination if necessary

11. Guiding Principles of Disability Equality Duty Proportionality Effectiveness Involvement Transparency Impacts on all policies, practices and procedures

12. Issues There is a rise in Disability Discrimination cases in schools going to Tribunal 2 x more likely to be bullied if disabled 9 x more likely to be excluded than non-disabled peers Lack of clarity about reasonable adjustments

13. Upheld Tribunal Claims Assumptions Risk assessments Administration of medicines School trips Behaviour related to disability Bullying and isolation from peers Access to the curriculum Admissions

14. Resources Implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in Schools and Early Years Settings (DCSF – order free) Free CPD has been run over the last two terms – will run more if required helen.redding@bedscc.gov.uk