DECP responds to rise in primary school children being referred to alternative provision
The Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) says the rise is worrying, and reiterates the need to increase the number of educational psychologists to ensure access for all children.
11 November 2022
The research from Ofsted found that a lack of access to specialist help means more primary school children with additional needs are being referred to alternative provision (AP), with around 7,000 primary-age children in England currently known to be in AP.
The DECP has long been concerned with the issue of school exclusions and their long-lasting impact on children and young people's outcomes, and the lack of access to educational psychologist services for all children across the education system.
This rise in children being placed into AP highlights the need for schools and staff to have ready access to educational psychologists who can provide evidence-based interventions and support.
Professor Olympia Palikara and Dr. Victoria Lewis, co-chairs of the DECP, said:
We know that exclusion is damaging not only to children and young people's outcomes, but also on school environments and society more widely.
This rise in primary school children being placed in AP is worrying, and shows the reality of the current state of our education system and the lack of support available for children and education staff.
Educational staff need the support of expert professionals which could allow more mainstream schools to support pupils with additional needs at an earlier stage, thereby avoiding an AP referral or any other type of exclusion.
AP should only ever be used as a last resort and as part of a graduated and temporary approach, where children and young people should have access to an educational psychologist as part of a supportive process which facilitates their movement back into mainstream.
The exclusion figures are indicative of the challenges facing children and staff within the education system, it is important that the government use its upcoming response to the SEND review to ensure there are sufficient specialist professionals to help children.