Many children face barriers to achieving their educational potential, and for children with Special Educational Needs (“SEN”) there are often significant hurdles to overcome. The role of child’s advocacy in education is to ensure every child has access to the learning resources and support they deserve. This is particularly heightened for children with SEND because of the widening attainment gap compared to their peers, and the disproportionate amount of SEND children who have negative experiences of the education system.
Advocacy should be used to ensure children are heard and their concerns taken seriously. For advocates, this requires active listening and excellent communication to make sure they are presenting the child’s views and wishes, not their own. Children should be spoken for but not over, and this requires open and honest communication with parents and carers who are best placed know and speak to their child’s needs. There is always an emotional element when advocating for children, and support should facilitate communication with parents and carers in order to build trust with the child.
Advocates must also always be conscious of the legal framework in which they operate. Advocates are of course familiar with the Children and Families Act 2014 as it applies to SEND as well as the SEND code of practice, The Code of Practice gives clear guidance on the key principles designed to support children with SEND, including:
the participation of children, their parents and young people in decision-making
the early identification of children and young people’s needs and early intervention to support them
greater choice and control for young people and parents over support
collaboration between education, health and social care services to provide support
high quality provision to meet the needs of children and young people with SEN
a focus on inclusive practice and removing barriers to learning
successful preparation for adulthood, including independent living and employment
Schools be places of where a love or learning is nurtured, and education is about more than facts and figures. Unnecessary barriers to learning need to be dismantled, and advocacy seeks to achieve this. Child advocacy works to ensure these key principles are followed and embedded within schools, to create an accessible and hospitable environment for learning. For example, ‘a focus on inclusive practice’ is likely to lead to increased awareness around and advocacy in respect of neurodiversity, ensuring all children understand there is no ‘correct’ way to learn. By celebrating unique perspectives and differences in education, we can ensure children are excited by not fearful about learning, which in turn is likely to reduce anxiety.
We all have a role in advocating for children in education, especially children with SEND. And at SEND Advocacy, we believe every child deserves to reach their full potential, and every person in a child’s life has a part to play in achieving this. As advocates we support parents and carers to navigate the SEND system and present the most persuasive case to decision-makers. We understand, and we're proud to play our role of child’s advocacy.
If you need someone in your corner to help you secure the education your child or young person deserves, contact us today.
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