Special Educational Needs & Disability Order Laid Before Parliament

14 February 2005
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS & DISABILITY ORDER LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT

The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Order has been laid before Parliament.

The Order, which will strengthen the rights of children with Special Educational Needs to be educated in mainstream schools, was the subject of a public consultation from 1 March to 28 June 2004 and received strong support from those who responded.

Commenting on the Order, Education and Employment and Learning Minister, Barry Gardiner said: "The Special Educational Needs and Disability Order will to implement the Government’s policy of strengthening the rights of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) to be educated in mainstream schools. In addition, it will remove the current exemption of the education sector in Northern Ireland from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, thereby increasing access to schools and institutions of further and higher education for children and young people with disabilities.

"This represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusion and disability rights in schools and institutions of further and higher education. I am firmly committed to the passing of this legislation, which will be of benefit to society as a whole."

A total of Ł57.8m over three years has been set aside to implement the Order. In addition Ł19.5m is to be made available over the same period to support children with SEN statements in mainstream schools including costs arising as a result of SENDO.

It is intended that the SEND Order will become law from 1 September 2005.

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