Why does inclusion in schools matter? 

Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Inclusion in education means creating a school environment where all students have this opportunity, regardless of their background or specific needs. This is essential for improving outcomes for every child and young person, both in their education and their lives beyond school. 

All students benefit from an inclusive school environment, not just those with SEND. Inclusion has many benefits, including: 

• Improved engagement and participation 

• Helping all students reach their potential, regardless of their background 

• Increased empathy and peer support amongst students 

• Building tolerance for different perspectives and experiences 

• Giving all students a sense of belonging, regardless of their background or identity. 

The SEND Code of Practice 

The  was created in 2015 by England’s Department for Education. It is statutory guidance for schools and local authorities to follow when supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Code of Practice defines SEN as “a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made”. 

The SEND Code of Practice introduces key principles that should be followed when supporting a young person with SEND. The following principles are most significant for schools: 

• Decision making should include parents and young people, and they should be supported to be involved. 

• Parents and young people should have greater control over the support the young person receives. 

• Teachers and school staff should identify and address signs of SEND as early as possible. 

• Education, healthcare and social care services should work collaboratively to provide the best possible support for young people. 

• Schools should provide high-quality, differentiated instruction that meets the needs of students with SEND. 

How does the SEND Code of Practice promote inclusion? 

More consistent support 

A centralised Code of Practice means SEND support is more consistent between schools and services, making it more effective. More effective support increases young people’s engagement and participation in education, improving their outcomes. 

Identifying needs and enabling provision 

For a young person to receive support in the first place, their needs must be identified. The Code of Practice encourages school staff to identify signs of SEND as early as possible, which not only enables young people to access support but also helps schools and care services prevent needs from escalating. 

Empowering young people 

Including students and their families in SENCO and other school staff decision-making gives young people agency, empowering them to make choices about their own life and better equipping them for life outside of school.

Addressing specific needs 

Similarly, ensuring parents, carers and guardians contribute to discussions about their child ensures support is well-suited to the young person and their needs. Including parents also means support can be more consistent between school and home.

How the new Ofsted framework supports the SEND Code of Practice 

The new Ofsted framework aims to provide more detailed and nuanced evaluation. The framework has a big focus on inclusion, with every inspection looking at SEND provision.

This means that for schools to succeed in their Ofsted inspections, it’s key that they’re following the SEND Code of Practice. We are starting to see the framework in action – you can read one account of the new inspection system in ����Vlog Magazine – and this focus on inclusion will hopefully be further encouragement for schools to provide the best possible support for all students. 

For more information on what the new reforms mean for inclusion at mainstream schools, read our article on Ofsted and inclusion.

Simplify SEND support with our SENCO Handbook

High-quality SEND support is key to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive at school. Following the SEND Code of Practice helps you to provide this and is a big step towards creating an inclusive learning environment.

Our free SENCO Handbook shows you how to simply SEND support and reduce SENCO workload by up to 20%. From funding evidence to learning plans, the guide helps you bring everything together onto one platform – so you can manage provision and measure impact with confidence.

Download the guide