Voices into Action (VIA) Toolkit

A digital resource supporting learner and family participation in educational decision-making

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UK (England)

Learning disability and autism in schools: North Cumbria and North East Accelerator site project

About:

This two-phase pilot project aimed to improve mental health support for children and young people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions and/or challenging behaviour. It sought to reduce inappropriate school exclusions and avoidable hospital admissions, and to increase staff and parent confidence.

The project, which took place in the North Cumbria and North East region, was developed and delivered with Parent Carer Forums (PCFs) working alongside statutory services. PCFs are set up in every local area in England and supported by a grant from the Department for Education. They offer a route for families of learners with special educational needs to have their voices heard. The pilot project comprised two elements:

  • The development of a peer network for parents and professionals caring and working with children and young people
  • A schools’ project, developed and delivered with parent carers and schools, which involved learning opportunities.

A set of working principles was agreed from the outset:

  • Co-production: listening and responding at every stage with families, young people, educators and experts.
  • Person-centred: the young person, not the service, is at the centre.
  • Joining things up: peer-support networks collaborating across education, health and care.
  • Early intervention: getting it right before challenges become embedded and lead to crisis.
  • Building resilience: for young people, parent carers and teachers.
  • Autism positive: using constructive language and approaches to neurodiversity.

Participants in the pilot programme were:

  • 7 PCFs, which were fully involved in designing the project
  • Local authorities
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • 15 mainstream secondary schools
  • 6 special schools
  • Children and young people, through a peer network set up by PCFs across the area for training and networking experience.

Outcomes:

The pilot project resulted in a reduction in avoidable hospital admissions, as well as increased uptake in annual health checks for children aged 14+ with learning difficulties. There were changes to school behaviour policies, and parents reported that schools were more welcoming. School staff said they felt more confident and better supported in working with children with special needs and disabilities and their families.

Key element(s) of the VIA Framework:

This example reflects SPACE, VOICE and INFLUENCE, particularly for parents and families. The Parent Carer Forums played a key role in the project, collaborating with agencies to have their voice heard and to help design the right types of support for learners with special needs. Parents clearly had a direct impact on the development and implementation of the programme. There were also avenues for children and young people to express their voices and participate in learning opportunities.

Read the detailed reports from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the programme.

WATCH: Autism in Schools film, sharing the experiences of young people with autism in schools