The Inclusion, Special Education and Educational Psychology Division has received funding to run a series of regional seminars focusing on SEN policy. The first of these seminars was held at the University’s Wast Hills Conference centre on 5th February and focused on policy developments concerning inter-agency working in the special needs context.

Practice of Policy Seminar 5th February 2004

The seminar was introduced by Ann Lewis (University of Birmingham) who reviewed the relevant research foci of teams within the Inclusion, Special Education and Educational Psychology Division. Deanne Fishbourne from the Audit Commission discussed the priorities and possible tensions of Elizabeth Andrews partnership working, noting that upwards of 30 types of group might be involved in any one area. She detailed the audit process associated with such partnerships including reviewing new solutions to the challenges. Deanne was followed by Elizabeth Andrews from the DfES who described current multi-agency work to support young children with disabilities. She referenced this to a critique of unmet needs and described the Early Support Family Toolkit. Finally Penny Lacey (University of Birmingham) led the discussion.

Practice of Policy Seminar, 19th May 2004