Inclusion Development Programme roll-out

In late autumn 2007, the National Strategies launched the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP). Over four years, the IDP is developing and delivering a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) designed to strengthen the confidence and expertise of mainstream staff in Early Years settings and in primary and secondary schools in ensuring the progress and achievement of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

In 2007-8 the IDP focused on developing provisions for speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and dyslexia. Leading national specialist organisations, including voluntary bodies, worked in partnership with the National Strategies in the development of the CPD programme and supporting materials, which are now available and presented through a series of DVD- and web-based resources tailored for use by:

• leaders of Early Years setting, in conjunction with area SENCOs;
• leadership teams, inclusion managers and individual staff in primary and secondary schools; and
• providers of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) as well as individual trainees.

This first phase of the IDP, focusing on SLCN and dyslexia, aims to help both practitioners and school staff and trainees to:

• recognise early on common signs of difficulty in understanding and/or making others understand information conveyed through spoken language;
• recognise common signs of dyslexic difficulties;
• create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for pupils with SLCN and/or dyslexia; and
• use inclusive teaching strategies appropriate for dyslexics and for pupils who have communication difficulties.