Revised guidance on the education of children and young people with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD)
In the Children's Plan the DCSF announced an externally-led review of
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with a remit to:
- take stock of progress to date and to identify how mainstream and universal services could play a more effective role in promoting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their families — including looking at the training of staff
- identify practical solutions to current barriers in the delivery of integrated care pathways at a service delivery and strategic level
- advise on key gaps in the delivery strategy to support the CAMHS elements of the Child Health and Wellbeing PSA
- develop priority actions for national, regional and local stakeholders in delivering the proposed vision of emotional health and wellbeing
- clarify the performance management arrangements necessary to support delivery including the development of robust local and national outcome indicators.
The review will include addressing the education, care and support needs of all children at risk of and experiencing mental health problems, including those whose difficulties are currently defined as being behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) as a special educational need (SEN).
While the Department awaits the outcomes of the review, it is issuing guidance on educating children with BESD — which reminds schools, early-years settings and local authorities of existing advice on improving outcomes for these children through:
- whole-school promotion of positive behaviour
- whole-school promotion of mental health
- the application of principles and processes contained in the SEN Code of Practice alongside guidance set out in School Discipline and Pupil Behaviour Policies
- the application of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005.
In the meantime, schools, early-years settings and local authorities may find the guidance helpful in supporting the further development of good practice.
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Published: 06 May 2008
