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Education and training

This section describes the range of educational and training opportunities for disabled children and adults, pre-school, at school, in further education, in vocational training and in higher education.

New rights for disabled children at school

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 amends the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 so that it is applicable to education in schools. It also amends Part 4 of the Education Act 1996. It recognises the importance of education to the future life chances of disabled people and introduces new rights and duties, which came into force on 1 September 2002.

The changes strengthen the rights of parents to request a place at a mainstream school for their children with statements of special educational needs. Local Education Authorities (LEAs) must name the parents' preferred school unless it is not compatible with the efficient education of the other pupils.

The Act also introduces a new right for disabled pupils not to be discriminated against unfairly by schools and LEAs and to have reasonable adjustments made to policies, practices and procedures that place them at a substantial disadvantage to others.Also, it introduces a new duty on schools and LEAs to plan strategically and to progress increasing accessibility for disabled pupils to school premises, the curriculum and the delivery of information.

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has produced a Code of Practice for schools to help those affected by the legislation understand their rights and responsibilities. It also runs a conciliation service for disputes arising from the duties schools have under the Act. For a copy of the code or for more information contact the DRC helpline on 0845 7622633 or visit their website www.drc-gb.org.

School and pre-school education

England

England

Establishing needs

A child up to the age of 19 has special educational needs if he or she has learning difficulties and needs special help.This help is known as special educational provision. A child has learning difficulties if he or she:

  • has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than most children of the same age; or
  • has a disability that stops or hinders him or her from using educational facilities of a kind provided for children of the same age in schools within the local education authority's area.

Reference point:
Special Educational Needs: A Guide for Parents and Carers (ref: 0800/2001).
Special Educational Needs: Code of Practice (ref: 561/2001).
Both from Department for Education and Skills Publications Centre.
Tel: 0845 6022260;
Fax: 0845 6033360;
Email: dfes@prolog.uk.com.
For Wales contact the National Assembly for Wales Education Department.
Tel: (029) 2082 6077.

Meeting needs

Most children's needs will be met by their mainstream school or nursery, sometimes with the help of an outside specialist. In a few cases the local education authority (LEA) will have to make a statutory assessment based on specialist advice.They may then issue a statement of special educational needs (SEN) which describes all the child's needs and all the specialist help that he or she should be given.

Help available can cover many aspects, and may include special equipment, therapy (such as speech and language therapy or physiotherapy) or home-based learning schemes.

If you as a parent have concerns about your child's needs, you should first talk to the school. If you are not happy with any decision made about your child, you should talk to the school or the LEA. Every education authority has a Parent Partnership Service to provide parents with advice and information about their child's special educational needs.They can also provide an independent parental supporter to help you, if that is what you would like. If you cannot agree with the decisions made by the LEA, you can use the informal arrangements for resolving the issue using a person independent of the LEA.You may also have a right of appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal in certain circumstances.There is nothing to prevent you using the informal arrangements and the Tribunal at the same time.The LEA should inform you of your rights of appeal, including the informal arrangements. In Wales the Special Needs Advisory Project (SNAP) provides support for parents through the process of SEN assessment and, if necessary, a statement. Tel: (029) 2038 4868.

Voluntary organisations with educational services, schools or colleges include:ACE (Aiding Communication in Education), ASBAH (Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus), Boys and Girls Welfare Society, British Dyslexia Association, British Epilepsy Association, Chailey Heritage School, Dyslexia Institute, Communications Forum, Foundation for Conductive Education, I CAN, National Autistic Society, National Deaf Children's Society, Rathbone Training, Royal Mencap Society, RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind), SCOPE, Shaftesbury Society, SNAP.

Scotland

Scotland

Establishing needs

Education authorities must make appropriate arrangements to educate children and young people with special educational needs. If asked to do so, your authority must assess your child's special educational needs and consider opening a Record of Needs, detailing them. If you are unhappy about the terms of the Record or the refusal of the authority to open a Record, you can appeal to your local Appeals Committee.

Meeting needs

Most children with special needs go to mainstream schools. But for those who need a special environment or specialised facilities there are special schools (including some in the grant-aided and independent sector) and special classes and departments associated with mainstream schools.The education authority should provide the equipment and therapy required to meet a child's educational needs. If a child's disability prevents him or her getting to school, a visiting teacher may be able to help.

Reference point: A Parent's Guide to Special Educational Needs.
The Scottish Executive Education Department.
Tel: (0131) 244 5144;
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk.

Other services for disabled children

Other services for disabled children

See 'For disabled children' in the section 'Help with particular needs'.

Further and higher education

Further education

Further education

Many young people with learning difficulties or disabilities continue their education after the age of 16 in a college. Colleges offer a wide range of vocational courses leading to work, GCSEs, GCE A Levels and General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) courses.

Most colleges offer special courses or help for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in England and The National Council for Education and Training for Wales pay colleges in the further education sector to run further education courses.They also have to make sure that there are places on those courses for young people and adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

If you find there is no suitable provision in an LSC-funded college, the LSC may be willing to pay for a place in an independent specialist college if it considers this is the best way to meet your needs. If you go to a specialist college, you might live at the college during term time.

Action point: Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
Tel: 0845 0194170;
Website: www.lsc.gov.uk.

Action point: National Council for Education and Training for Wales.
Tel: (029) 2076 1861;
Website: www.elwa.ac.uk.

You can get information on courses in further education in Scotland from the individual colleges.

Higher education

Higher education

If you intend to continue in full-time education after school or FE college, teachers and careers advisers can advise you which university will be suitable.They can also find out about access, facilities and contacts for students with disabilities through ECCTIS, the database with up-to-date information on courses and vacancies in higher education (www.ecctis.co.uk).

England
The prospectus for each higher education institution explains what you may expect from a college if you are a student with a learning difficulty or disability.You can get copies of prospectuses direct from the institution concerned.
The Universities Central Admissions Service (UCAS) will be able to give you contact details.
Tel: (01242) 222444.
Wales Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.
Tel: (029) 2076 1861;
Website: www.elwa.ac.uk.

Scotland
The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council publishes Access to Success, a guide containing advice for students with a disability on applying to and studying in higher education in Scotland.
Tel: (0131) 313 6500;
Website:www.shefc.ac.uk.

Grants

Grants

People with learning difficulties and disabilities have the same rights to grants from local education authorities and student loans as other students.

People with disabilities undertaking courses of higher education may be eligible for Disabled Students'Allowances (DSAs). DSAs provide assistance for students who, by reason of their disability, incur additional expenditure as a result of attendance on their course. DSAs are paid in addition to the existing standard support for students and are available to full- and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The type and level of DSA support is identified by means of an assessment of course-related needs, carried out by an experienced assessor. DSAs are made up of four possible elements - a non-medical personal helper, major items of specialist equipment, travel to and from the institution, and a general allowance for other extra costs.

Reference point: More information is available in the booklet Bridging the Gap.To order copies, please telephone the Department for Education and Skills free information line: 0870 0002288.
A Guide to Financial Support for Students in Higher Education (ref: S/FSHE/V3).
Available from Department for Education and Skills Publications Centre.
Helpline: 0845 6022260.
It's Your Choice. Sets out choices facing students at the end of year 11 and contains advice for young people with disabilities.
Also from Department for Education and Skills Publications Centre.Welsh language version Chi Biau'r Denis from National Assembly for Wales.
Tel: (029) 2082 6079.

In Scotland you can apply for assistance for advanced level courses from the Students Award Agency for Scotland. A Disabled Student's Allowance is available with three elements - the basic grant, an equipment allowance, and a non-medical personal help allowance.

The Snowdon Award Scheme may provide bursaries to help physically disabled students, preferably 17-25 years of age, with the additional costs of further education for students with a disability - for example, computers, carers, notetakers, readers, specialist equipment. Bursaries of up to £1500 may be awarded for one or two years.
Tel: (01403) 211252.
Action point: Apply to your local education authority. In Scotland apply to your local authority for non-advanced courses. For advanced courses apply to the Students Awards Agency for Scotland.
Tel: (0131) 476 8212 (Mon-Fri 8.30-17.00).

Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) is a voluntary organisation that promotes equality in education, training and employment for disabled people. Phone the information service or write to the address below.
Reference point: Skill publishes a range of factsheets and publications, including:
Financial Assistance for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education.
Financial Assistance for Students with Disabilities in Further Education.
Higher Education and Disability: A Guide.
Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: A Guide for All Staff.
For a full list of publications and information sheets, contact Skill.
Infoline: 0800 3285050 (Mon-Thurs 13.30-16.30);
Textphone infoline: 0800 0682422;
Website: www.skill.org.uk.

RNIB provides advice and support for blind and partially sighted students in further and higher education through a team of regional Student Support Service Advisors. It works with students at specialist and mainstream colleges. Services include guidance on choosing educational options and study skills to cope with course material.
Tel: London & South East: (01733) 370777.
Central: (0121) 665 4220.
North: (0151) 255 0562.
South West: (0117) 953 8870.
Scotland: (0131) 311 8500.  

Open learning

Open or distance learning gives you 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. Your Learning and Skills Council, in England, the National Council for Education and Training for Wales or Learning Enterprise Council in Scotland may be able to make arrangements and tell you about grants.

The National Extension College is a non-profit making educational charity providing 150 home study courses including GCSE, A level, degree, vocational and leisure interest courses. Disabled people or people caring for someone with a disability may be able to obtain bursaries to help with the cost of fees. For a guide to courses, contact
Customer Services: (01223) 316644;
Website: www.nec.ac.uk.

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 wide range of services for disabled students includes assistance at residential school, transcripts, cassette tapes, study weekends and specialised equipment.
Tel: (01908) 635745;
Textphone: (01908) 655978;
Course information and advice line: (01908) 653231;
For students with disabilities: (01908) 653745/2178;
Textphone: (01908) 655978;
Website: www.open.ac.uk.

The University for Industry (Ufi), working as a public-private partnership in England,Wales and Northern Ireland, aims to put individuals in a better position to get jobs, improve their career prospects and boost business competitiveness. Ufi's learning services are being delivered through learndirect, which provides access to innovative and high quality courses, over 80% of them online. learndirect will enable people to fit learning into their lives, learning wherever they have access to the internet - at home, at work, or in one of 2000 learndirect centres. Free and confidential information and advice on learning and careers opportunities is available from the
National Learning Advice Line: 0800 100900 (Sun-Sat 8.00-22.00);
Website: www.learndirect.co.uk.

Training for employment

Work-based training

Work-based training for young people and work-based training for adults are the Government's training programmes.The Learning and Skills Council in England, the National Council for Education and Training for Wales or Learning Enterprise Council in Scotland deliver equivalent provision in Skillseekers and Training for Work.They can provide extra help such as special equipment, communication support and adaptations to premises. Many have a member of staff responsible for equal opportunities and services for disabled people.

Work-based training for young people offers broad-based vocational training and work experience.All 16- and 17-year-olds who are not in full-time education or employment are guaranteed a suitable training place.This applies to those over 18 if entry has been delayed due to disability or a health problem.

Most work-based training for young people is delivered through the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme.These are available in over 80 sectors of industry and commerce and most MAs receive a wage. Foundation MAs lead to NVQ Level 2 and Advanced MAs to NVQ Level 3.

Work-based training for adults helps long-term unemployed people, aged 25-63, find work and improve their work skills. Disabled people can join the programme immediately and have priority for suitable training places.

Action point: Contact the local Connexions Service for work-based training for young people and your local Jobcentre (or equivalent in Scotland) for work-based training for adults. (See 'Work' page 51.)
Connexions Service National Unit, Department for Education and Skills, Moorfoot, Sheffield S1 4PQ.
Website: www.connexions.gov.uk.
Connexions Direct Tel: 0808 0013219;
Text: 0776 6413219;
Website: www.connexions-direct.com.

Action point: Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
Tel: 0845 0194170;
Website: www.lsc.gov.uk.

Action point: National Council for Education and Training for Wales.
Tel: (029) 2076 1861;
Website: www.elwa.ac.uk.

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