What is inclusion?
Inclusion means every child and young person feels welcome, respected, and supported – whatever their background or needs. Everyone should have equal chances to learn and succeed.
Why it matters
When children and young people feel like they belong, they’re more likely to do well in school, and in life.
How Devon is promoting inclusion
Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP)
Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) means all schools and education settings should support every child – including those with special educational needs (SEND) – as part of their everyday practice.
It’s designed to help everyone, not harm anyone, and is essential for some.
We’ve developed two frameworks:
- The Ordinarily Available Inclusive Framework sets out expectations on what all schools and early years settings should do to support all children and young people.
- The Targeted Support Framework sets out the extra help that schools should provide children and young people with SEND.
We have produced the following videos to provide an introduction to OAIP as well as information about how schools can use a ‘graduated approach’ to support children with additional needs.
Devon’s Inclusion and Learning Strategy
Devon’s Inclusion and Learning Strategy is our plan to make schools more inclusive. Schools are being encouraged to sign up and show their support. You can see which schools have already joined on the Believe in belonging map.
Education, Quality and Inclusion team
The Education, Quality and Inclusion Team works in partnership with schools to support children and young people to thrive in their education.
Each school is assigned an Inclusion Partner who has a strong understanding of the school’s needs and context.
Inclusion Partners work closely with school staff, offering regular guidance and support to strengthen whole school approaches to inclusion and attendance and ensure individual pupils who may face barriers are able to attend or engage fully in their education,
Alternative Education Provision (AEP)
A small number of children and young people have complex needs and may find it difficult to attend a mainstream or special school or college. This might be because of:
- a long‑term illness or disability
- specific educational needs
- mental health difficulties
In most cases, an AEP package will be a short-term solution which will aim to support a child or young person to move towards accessing an educational setting.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Some children feel anxious about going to school and may avoid it. This can be caused by many things, including SEND.
Our EBSA guidance includes:
- Things you can try at home
- Strategies your child’s school can try
- Info on other support services in Devon.
Support for pupils with health needs
If a child can’t attend school full-time due to health issues, there’s help available. Visit the medical conditions page for details.