Voice: SEN support scheme "targets only the elite – or ‘talented’ as the DfE describes them"
Wednesday, 18 April 2012 2:27 PM
Voice: the union for education professionals has commented on the DfE’s £500,000 scholarship scheme for SEN support staff launched today (18 April 2012).
General Secretary Philip Parkin said:
“Although better late than never, this is too little too late and rather limited in scope.
“The scheme targets only the elite – or ‘talented’ as the DfE describes them – those teaching assistants (TAs) who are already well qualified, with A levels or equivalent qualifications or who hold higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) status.
“There remains a real need for the majority of TAs involved in special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) work – those employed at levels one or two, many of whom will be minimally qualified – to gain access to appropriate specialised training. Regrettably, this initiative does nothing for them.”
Notes
Commenting on the SEN Green Paper published on 9 March 2011, General Secretary Philip Parkin said:
"There should be specialist training for staff on how to support diverse learners. For example, SENCOs (special educational needs co-ordinators) could be trained to have a more specialised role.” http://www.voicetheunion.org.uk/index.cfm?cid=739
ends
Contacts: Voice Press Office (pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk) on 01332 372337 or 0794 871 0413, General Secretary Philip Parkin (philipparkin@voicetheunion.org.uk) on 01332 372 337 or 077 259 601 32 or Senior Professional Officer (Education) Ian Toone (iantoone@voicetheunion.org.uk) on 01332 372 337.
www.blog.voicetheunion.org.uk
http://twitter.com/voicetheunion
Voice: the union for education professionals
2 St James' Court
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1BT
Tel : 01332 372337
web : www.voicetheunion.org.uk
