Nesil Caliskan, the Member of Parliament for Barking, is celebrating a new government training programme after proposing a new law on the issue last year.
Last year, Nesil Caliskan MP launched a campaign for better support for children with special educational needs after hearing from parents and teachers about the broken SEND system in Barking & Dagenham. Nesil held a coffee morning to listen to parents and teachers about their experiences and has visited schools for children with SEND across Barking and Dagenham.
In 2022, request for Education Health and Care Plans (a legal document setting out the needs of a child with SEND) in Barking & Dagenham doubled, which was an increase for four times the national average.
The Barking MP proposed a new law in Parliament to make SEND training compulsory for teachers in England, which included proposals the government has just adopted.
The recently announced £200 million training programme will see teachers in nurseries, schools and colleges across England upskilled to support children with SEND and mandating the training in the SEND code of practice.
MP for Barking, Nesil Caliskan said:
“I know from speaking to parents and teachers in Barking & Dagenham that the SEND system is not working for anyone, especially for the children not getting the support they need and deserve.
“By upskilling teachers, the government is making sure every child is supported to learn and parents don’t have to fight tooth and nail for support for their children.
“There is still more work to be done but I am delighted the government have backed some of our proposals. Teachers being adequately trained to support every child will make massive difference to so many children with SEND in Barking & Dagenham.”
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:
“Every child, wherever they live and whatever their needs, should have the opportunity to go to a local school where they can achieve and thrive.
“That’s why we’re equipping staff across every stage of education with more training on SEND and inclusion than ever before – helping to deliver our vision of a truly inclusive education system.
“This is a key part of our mission to reform the SEND system so that schools can take children from forgotten to include and give parents the confidence that the right support will be there at every stage of their child’s education.”
Almost half of primary and secondary teachers say that more training would help their confidence in supporting pupils with SEND. New courses available to all teaching staff will deepen knowledge of how to adapt their teaching to meet a wide range of needs.
The Schools White Paper will be published early this year, setting out Labour’s full plans to reform the SEND system.
