Five Lincolnshire primary schools to get hubs to help SEND pupils – BBC

Report on the Establishment of SEND Support Hubs in Lincolnshire Primary Schools

Introduction

Lincolnshire County Council has approved plans to establish hubs supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at five primary schools across the county. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, by promoting inclusive and equitable quality education for all children.

Objectives of the SEND Hubs

• Provide dedicated learning environments for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Ensure pupils remain integrated within mainstream school communities, fostering inclusion.
• Address the significant rise in demand for SEND places across Lincolnshire.

Locations and Funding

1. Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary School, Grantham
2. The Meadows Primary School, Lincoln
3. St George’s Church of England Primary School, Gainsborough
4. Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School
5. Church Lane Primary School, Sleaford

The total cost of the hubs exceeds £7 million, funded by the Department for Education, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable investment in educational infrastructure.

Context and Need

• Lincolnshire has experienced a “significant” increase in demand for SEND places.
• Special schools are currently oversubscribed despite an addition of 527 pupil places over the past four years.
• The proportion of children with EHCPs in Lincolnshire (4.9%) exceeds the national average (4.2%).

Statements from Officials

• Natalie Oliver, Executive Member for Children’s Services, emphasized the hubs as “an incredibly important and necessary step forward in improving the lives of children and their families,” reflecting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
• Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager for SEND and Inclusion, highlighted the oversubscription challenges in special schools.
• Martin Smith, Assistant Director of Children’s Education, provided data on SEND prevalence in Lincolnshire compared to national figures.
• Conservative Councillor Stephen Roe noted the benefits of the hubs in reducing travel distances for young people and enhancing their opportunities through mainstream education, supporting SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The hubs promote inclusive education by integrating SEND pupils within mainstream schools.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Providing tailored support to children with SEND improves their overall well-being.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The initiative reduces educational disparities by offering accessible support closer to pupils’ homes.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between Lincolnshire County Council and the Department for Education exemplifies effective partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

Conclusion

The establishment of SEND support hubs in Lincolnshire primary schools represents a strategic and sustainable approach to addressing the growing needs of children with special educational requirements. By fostering inclusive education and reducing inequalities, this initiative contributes significantly to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring improved educational outcomes and well-being for vulnerable children and their families.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article discusses the establishment of hubs for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream primary schools, highlighting inclusive and equitable quality education.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The hubs provide support for pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs), indicating integration of health and well-being services for children with disabilities.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The focus on SEND children and ensuring they have access to education within their communities addresses reducing inequalities, especially for vulnerable groups.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities.
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator 4.5.1: Parity indices (e.g., gender, disability, geographic location) for all education indicators that can be disaggregated.
• The article mentions the percentage of children with EHCPs nationally (4.2%) versus Lincolnshire (4.9%), implying monitoring of SEND prevalence and access.
2. Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to adapted infrastructure and materials for children with disabilities.
• The creation of SEND hubs within mainstream schools suggests progress towards accessible and inclusive education infrastructure.
3. Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.
• The integration of education, health and care plans (EHCPs) within the hubs implies monitoring of health service coverage for children with disabilities.
4. Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, by disability status.
• While not explicitly mentioned, the article’s focus on inclusion and reducing travel distances for SEND children implies efforts to reduce social and economic inequalities.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com