Effective Practice Case Study on Developing Local Schools for Children in Barking and Dagenham

We are excited to share that our Education Team and schools have been featured in the recent newsletter of What works in SEND (WWiS) programme¹.

Full report download: Effective Practice Case Study on Developing Local Schools for Children in Barking and Dagenham

Since the project began in 2013/14, we have witnessed a remarkable growth in the expertise available in mainstream schools, alongside strong partnerships, trust and confidence among schools, local authorities, parents and key stakeholders like the NHS and community organisations. We are committed to ongoing conversation and collaboration as we embrace new challenges and opportunities in the SEND reform journey. Our local schools stand as beacons of hope and excellence for our children, and we pledge our dedication to inclusion for all.

‘The project has been able to demonstrate impact on the quality of provision on offer for children and young people with SEND, and benefits in terms of the lived experience of children and young people and their families, as more are able to be educated locally with their peers and in their communities.’

What was the impact?

• Mainstream schools have the skills and capacity to meet a greater range of children and young people’s needs.
• More children and young people placed successfully in local schools.
• Better management of high needs block expenditure with more invested in growing capacity in Barking and Dagenham’s schools.

What were they key actions and practices involved?

1. Creating a borough-wide consensus on the need for change, underpinned by a shared commitment to inclusion.
2. Developing the capacity and skills of mainstream schools to support children with a diversity of needs.
3. Commissioning and quality assuring local provision
4. Creating clearer shared oversight of high needs block expenditure

Finding out more

 ¹WWiS is led by the University of Warwick research team and delivered in collaboration with colleagues in the Research and Improvement for SEND Excellence (RISE) Partnership, the National Development Team for inclusion (NDTi), specifically ISOS Partnership and Council for Disabled Children (CDC).