In May 2017, Sunderland University published a report which presented the findings of a mixed methods investigation into the prevalence of Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), identified in children and young people aged 3-16 years, across the City of Sunderland. This study was commissioned by Sunderland City Council, with the aim of informing their 5-year strategy for SEND provision.
Following on from that initial research, Together for Children Sunderland have commissioned Sunderland University to carry out a further research project. This new project will:
- examine PLASC (pupil level annual school census) data from January 2018 in relation to the prevelance of SEMH across the City of Sunderland
- Through the use of interviews, questionnaires and focus groups, find out the core issues around SEMH from the perspective of Head Teachers, SENCos, Health Partners, Parents/Carers and Children
- examine and report on good practice in 5 other Local Authorities
- produce an in-dept report including literature review and data analysis
- hold a multi-disciplinary conference (a collaboration of Sunderland City Council and the University of Sunderland Faculty of Education and Society).
A full copy of the Research Project outline and the SEMH rationale are attached.