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Original poster

Lots of answered threads in SN Education

92 replies

WetAugust · 17/04/2012 18:54

I can't bear to see an unanswered thread. I asked MNHQ to move one.

Question: Do we need a separate SN Education section that hardly anyone ever looks at? Should we ask for it to be removed or possible have a sticky or something directing people to SN Children where all the baddies wonderful SN parents lurk?

OP posts:
2shoes · 19/04/2012 22:59

if you did that you sould lose posters, you have to go for the quick way for it imo

Toughasoldboots · 19/04/2012 22:59

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HotheadPaisan · 19/04/2012 22:57

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2shoes · 19/04/2012 22:57

i ahve been on here for over 6 years and it has always been called Special needs, tbh I don't see the problem with that.
but I do see a problem with the idea (if I have this right) of merging SEN with SN.

HotheadPaisan · 19/04/2012 22:54

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Bohica · 19/04/2012 22:25

I think a move to make a section more welcoming by merging with a similar and popular section would be a good move.

I know nothing about this subject but I don't like the thought of threads going unanswered.

Original poster
WetAugust · 19/04/2012 22:22

We use the term SN at work to describe staff who may have physical problems that require adaptations i.e. automated doors, large screens, specialist telephony, software packages - but having provided those adaptation the staff member has no difficulty in actually doing the job.

SEN is where the education is tailored / refined / supported etcoetherwise the child could not fully access the cirriculum.

So you could have someone with SN and, as a consequenece, may also have SENs

But you can also have someone who has SNs but no SENs

I think we're getting muddled because Statements - even if they are issued just for physical conditions e.g. wheelchair user are titled Statemnets of Special Educational Needs when the only Educational element of that need is the ability to physically access the school i.e. no additional tailoring of the cirriculum or assistance in accessing the cirriculum is needed beyong those pyhsical adapations.

I think the question is - if the person was not in an educational setting would they still have difficulty? If so they have SNs.

OP posts:
2shoes · 19/04/2012 22:19

my dd is disabled and has sn
sorry but her needs are totally different to someone with SEN who might have dyslexia for instance.
My son who is nt, was at one time classed as having sen as he had hearing trouble, sorry but a totally different thing

TheLightPassenger · 19/04/2012 21:59

I wonder if there could be some reference to developmental delay and/or language delay as well as a subheading. As people post for advice who are still unsure about whether their child has SN.

Original poster
WetAugust · 19/04/2012 21:48

Good point Star

Why not drop the 'Special Needs' and just go for the blunt 'Disabled Children and Associated Educational Issues'

OP posts:
StarshitTerrorise · 19/04/2012 20:01

Personally I hate any 'Needs' especially in this climate where 'needy' means scrounging.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 19/04/2012 19:58

It's just words to me, zzzzz. Once upon a time, retarded was the term used, then mentally handicapped. Given time, every word gets negative connotations and gets used at a term of abuse, so we move on to something better. I'm comfortable with special needs at the moment.

StarshitTerrorise · 19/04/2012 19:57

The terminology is tricky I agree.

I think SEN has a focus on 'special' whereas SN appears to focus more on 'disability'. Not MY definitions of either btw, but have picked up a vibe that this is how it is often seen.

zzzzz · 19/04/2012 19:54

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EllenJaneisnotmyname · 19/04/2012 19:50

Zzzzz, what I mean is that some parents are sensitive when their DC is struggling and I wouldn't want them to miss out on support just because they haven't come to terms with the terminology.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 19/04/2012 19:47

Zzzzz, I think that some parents when first finding that their child has SEN, might find the prospect of posting on SN one step too far, at that stage. And SEN is different to SN. My DS has both!

However, HelenMumsnet the point is that SN education (more than SEN education) is under used and should be merged with SN children. I think that's obvious and should be called SN children and education.

The SEN education board is also under used. Having it available to see as a separate topic heading in both education and SN is a good idea, but I think it'll still be under used.

zzzzz · 19/04/2012 19:47

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zzzzz · 19/04/2012 19:39

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MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 19/04/2012 19:31

Actually, I'm not sure I am right

According to the government: "The term 'special educational needs' (SEN) has a legal definition, referring to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn or access education than most children of the same age."

zzzzz · 19/04/2012 19:23

This reply has been deleted

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MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 19/04/2012 18:57

Well, and please correct me if I'm wrong, SN Education is about the education of children with SN (and their special needs may not necessarily be special educational needs) and SEN is about the education of children with, specifically, special educational needs.

zzzzz · 19/04/2012 18:16

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MNHQ
HelenMumsnet · 19/04/2012 17:59

Hello. Sorry to be so slow in coming back about this.

We're a bit wary of merging SN Education and Special Educational Needs in Education, as they're not the same thing.

But how about if we make it so that Special Educational Needs is listed in both the Special Needs section and the Education section (same topic; just listed in both areas)?

Would that work?

coolaskimdeal · 18/04/2012 19:48

i think its a good idea to move the 2 in together. tbh i only ever check the snchildren topic.

TheLightPassenger · 18/04/2012 16:58

Agree with Wet and others, merge away, so people are likely to get replies more easily.

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