Thought Leadership
Our aim is to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions, supporting government commitments to inclusion.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child states that education must develop every child's personality, talents and abilities to the full.
Without an inclusive education policy across all countries, millions of children will continue to be left behind. The loss of their potential will continue to damage individuals, families, communities and futures around the world.
Our Experience
Punjab Education Support Programme
Objective:
In part of the largest aid support programme by UK Aid, nasen was commissioned to deliver a 'training needs analysis' (TNA) to identify capacity gaps, and form a five-year development plan for specialist education in Punjab, Pakistan. The region is home to 22 million children, and at least one in ten have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Our strategy was formed through literature and data scoping, surveys, focus groups, interviews and school observations, and led to the training of both teachers and trainers to enhance confidence throughout the area.
Outcome & Impact:
The project fuelled a tangible change in classroom culture, with improved teaching practice and outcomes observed - both driven by raised aspirations for children with additional needs. Endorsed by ministers, government representatives and key stakeholders, our work saw 3,000 teachers trained, building the capacity for sustainable development within Special Education Centres.
90% of training participants rated the delivery and input of the training as highly effective, and new processes were created for the sharing of professional learning, including regional training groups. By examining attitudes in the workforce, and systematically addressing misconceptions through evidence-informed training, we were able to challenge misconceptions, and drive significant changes in belief and culture.
Government of Guernsey
Objective:
Commissioned to identify areas of good practice across Guernsey and Alderney, plus opportunities to improve the ongoing development of and educationally inclusive culture, nasen International created a comprehensive National Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Review. Its delivery supported the evolution of provision for all children and young people on the islands.
Outcome & Impact:
Following the publication of the review, ministerial action was taken to agree and implement recommendations, including the need for every school to have a full-time special educational needs coordinator; age range for access to be expanded from 5-18 to 0-25, and greater strategic and operational alignment between education and health/social care services. Policy and system change was seen within Year One of the review, part of a long-term strategic approach that stands to impact more than 60,000 children and young people.