Darlington AssociationEducation Guide
This section provides information on schooling and further/higher education for disabled children and young people.
Contents
Legislation
Information and support
Further and Higher Education
Distance Learning
Personal Finance in Further & Higher Education
Other sources of information
Contacts
Legislation
The 1981 Education Act recognised the term 'Special Educational Needs' (SEN), and defined it as 'a learning difficulty, which may be the result of a physical or sensory disability, an emotional or behavioural problem, or developmental delay'.
Under the 1981 and 1993 Education Acts Local Education Authorities are legally obliged to provide ‘children with special needs’ with a Statement of Needs, and meet those needs in integrated schools where possible.
To provide practical advice and a framework for schools and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to carry out their statutory duties, the Education Act 1993 set out the first SEN Code of Practice, which came into effect in 1994. This sets out time limits for the production of assessments and Statements. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the Statement and should receive a copy of it. The 1993 Act also established independent appeals tribunals, which parents can use if they are unhappy with their child's Statement.
For education providers, new duties came into effect in September 2002 under Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act amended by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA). These require schools, colleges, universities, and providers of adult education and youth services to ensure that they do not discriminate against disabled people. From September 2003 schools and colleges also have the duty, through reasonable adjustment, to provide auxiliary aids.
Return to ContentsInformation and Support
Darlington Parent Partnership Service provides impartial and independent advice and information through its fully trained Independent Parental Supporters (IPS). The service produces a termly newsletter for parents/carers, schools and support organisations, and also publishes a directory of support and voluntary groups and a range of information sheets on a variety of subjects from annual reviews to organising paperwork. The service runs regular parenting groups called 'Focus on Families' where parents/carers can come along and talk to other parents who have a child with special educational needs and find strategies for coping with feelings and emotions, challenging behaviour and where they can obtain practical help and information.
The Education Centre for Children with Downs Syndrome provides educational classes for children from birth to 5 years with Downs Syndrome. The classes are divided into three age groups, and children are taught speech and social skills which support other learning.
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE), is an independent advice centre for parents offering information about state education in England and Wales for 5-16 year olds. It provides a freephone telephone advice service on weekdays 2pm - 5pm. 0808 800 5793.
After 16 is a website run by the Family Fund which provides information on what opportunities and services are available for young disabled people when they leave school. Learning is one of many topics included on the site; others include transport, housing and leisure. The section on learning covers funding and grants, access and support.
Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) is an independent centre working in the UK and overseas to promote inclusion and end segregation. It gives information about inclusive education and related issues. The centre produces booklets on good practice and can answer queries on law and changing practice.
Connexions is the government's support service for all young people aged 13 to 19 in England. The service aims to provide advice and support, and brings together all the services and support young people need during their teenage years. It offers practical help with choosing the right courses and careers, including access to broader personal development through activities like sport, performing arts and volunteering activities.
Independent Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA) offers free and independent advice on Local Education Authorities' legal duties to assess and provide for children with special educational needs. Children with physical impairments, sensory impairments, emotional and behavioural difficulties, general and specific learning difficulties are included, as well as those arising from specific conditions such as Down's Syndrome, autism and dyslexia. IPSEA provides independent advice; advice on appeals to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal, including representation when needed and second professional opinions.
Network 81 is a national network of parents of children working towards properly resourced inclusive education for children with special educational needs. It provides a Helpline offering advice an all matters relating to special educational needs; befrienders to support parents at meetings and through the assessment process and many publications.
Parents for Inclusion (Pi) is a network of parents of disabled children and children with special educational needs. Pi is committed to working together with disabled people to build inclusive communities in ordinary life. It provides a helpline, training, and has links with the inclusion movement.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) produces a number of publications for parents of disabled children, including ‘Special educational Needs; A Guide of Parents and Carers’. The guide sets out what support is available and describes the assessment and statementing code of practice.
RADAR has a number of books and leaflets providing advice and information to parents, including "Children First - Educational services for Disabled Children". This publication covers service provision for the education of disabled children. Particular emphasis is given to the beginning and end of the educational age spectrum - pre-school and post-16. It also gives information on educational resources that are available.
Return to ContentsFurther and Higher Education
All colleges and universities should include details of support services for disabled students.
Darlington College of Technology has a learning support statement, outlining services and support available to disabled students at the college. This includes physical access to the site, support workers, how they will assess need, specialist equipment and tutors and individual examination/assessment arrangements.
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College produces a Disability Statement each year. It gives information about what the College can offer to anyone with an impairment, which affects their ability to carry out daily activities. Contact the college for a copy.
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities provides information and advice to disabled students who are in post 16 education or training.
After 16 is a website supported by the Family Fund, aimed at teenagers and young people in the UK who have an impairment. It offers a wide range of information and advice including a section on learning.
Return to ContentsDistance Learning
Open or distance learning provides access to educational materials and allows you to develop knowledge and skills at your own pace and at a time and place to suit yourself.
The Open University offers a full range of degree and other courses, combining home study with tuition and group discussion at local study centres. Some courses have a weekend or one-week residential school. Each student has a tutor. The Open University has a range of services available for disabled students include cassette tapes, specialist equipment, study weekends and support to attend residential school.
The National Extension College (NEC) provides a distance learning service that aims to meet individual learning needs. They promote inclusive education to help students maximise their potential, including GCSE, ‘A’ level, degree, vocational and leisure interest courses. Disabled people and carers may be able to obtain bursaries to help with the cost of fees.
Return to ContentsPersonal finance in further and higher education
The DfES student support website will give you lots of information about the types of financial help that is available in the 2004/05 academic year for higher education full or part time undergraduate students and postgraduate students with impairments. The Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) are grants available to disabled students in higher education to help with the extra costs they may have to pay in their studies because of an impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. DSAs cannot be used to pay course fees or general living expenses. They are only for study-related costs that arise directly from impairment or specific learning difficulty. They are not means-tested and do not affect entitlement to other benefits. Information on DSAs is available from the DfES who publish the booklet "Bridging the Gap".
Return to ContentsOther Sources of Information
Other sections of the Darlington association on Disability Information Guide may contain further information relevant to education.
The Children section of this guide has information relating to disabled children.
The Employment section gives information on vocational training and skills-based training for work.
The Legal Rights section gives information on the Disability Discrimination Act and SENDA.
The Money Matters section gives information on entitlement to Benefits for children and young people.
Contact Darlington Association on Disability's Information Service for assistance with searching for information about any subject in this guide or for support in dealing with your information requests.
Return to ContentsContacts
Advisory Centre for Education, (ACE)
Telephone : 0808 800 5793
General Advice Line open Monday to Friday 2-5pm.
Telephone : 020 7704 9822 Exclusions Information Line
Fax : 020 7354 9069
Minicom :
Email : enquiries@ace.dialnet.com only for disabled people who are unable to access the telephone advice line
Website : www.ace-ed.org.uk
After 16
The Family Fund
PO Box 50
York
YO1 9ZX
Telephone :
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : Info@familyfund.org.uk
Website : www.after16.org.uk
Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE)
New Redland Frenchay Campus
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol BS16 1QU
Telephone : 01173 284 007
Fax : 01173 284005
E-mail :
Website : http://inclusion.uwe.ac.uk/csie/csiehome.htm
Connexions Tees Valley
7 - 9 Houndgate
Darlington DL1 5RF
Telephone : 01325 480055
Fax : 01325 484519
Minicom :
E-mail : contact through website
Website : www.connexionsteesvalley.co.uk
Darlington College of Technology
Cleveland Avenue
Darlington DL3 7BB
Telephone : 01325 503030
Fax : 01325 503000
Minicom : 01325 503252
E-mail : enquire@darlington.ac.uk
Website : www.darlington.ac.uk
Darlington Parent Partnership Service
Harewood House
14 Harewood Hill
Darlington DL3 7HY
Telephone and Fax : 01325 254548
Minicom :
E-mail: parent.partnership@darlington.gov.uk
Website :
Department for Education and Science (DfES)
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London SW1H 9NA
Telephone : 0870 000 2288
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
Website : www.dfes.gov.uk
Education Centre for Children with Downs Syndrome
Telephone : 01325 369895
E-mail : king_maggie@hotmail.com
Independent Panel for Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
6 Carlow Mews
Woodbridge
Suffolk IP12 1EA
Telephone advice line : 0800 0184016
General enquiries: 01394 380518
Tribunal appeals only : 01394 384711
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : ipsea.info@intamail.com
www.ipsea.org.uk
Network 81
1-7 Woodfield Terrace
Stansted
Essex CM24 8AJ
Telephone helpline : 0870 770 3306
Fax : 0870 770 3263
E-mail : Network81@tesco.net
Website : www.network81.co.uk
Parentscentre
Department for Education and Skills
Public Enquiry Unit
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BT
Telephone : 0870 000 22 88
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
Website : www.parentscentre.gov.uk
Parents for Inclusion
Unit 2
70 South Lambeth Road
London SW8 1RL
Telephone : 020 7582 5008
Helpline : 0800 652 3145
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : info@parentsforinclusion.org
Website : www.parentsforinclusion.org
RADAR
12 City Forum
250 City Road
London EC1V 8AF
Telephone : 020 7250 3222
Fax: 020 7250 0212
Minicom: 020 7250 4119
E-mail: radar@radar.org.uk
Website : www.radar.org.uk
Skill : National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Chapter House
18-20 Crucifix Lane
London SE1 3JW
Telephone / Minicom : 020 7450 0620
Helpline : 0800 328 5050
Fax : 020 7450 0650
E-mail: info@skill.org.uk
Website : www.skill.org.uk