Inclusion Champions

“The Knowledge is Power toolkit, in particular, has really given me an excellent starting point to help recruit the next generation of Disabled young people to be involved in ECIL” Warda Mohamed, Disability support worker, Ealing Centre for Independent Living (ECIL).

What is the Inclusion Champions Network?

Inclusion Champions is a network of Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) who work together for the right of Disabled children and young people to be fully included in mainstream education.  We follow the principles of inclusive education, the social model of disability, independent living and equality legislation including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Become an Inclusion Champion

Becoming an Inclusion Champion is easy – just contact our Inclusion Champions Coordinator. To become a member your organisation must be or aspire to be a Disabled person led organisation.

Benefits of membership

• Access to training and support around inclusive education
• Support with bid writing and fundraising applications
• Help with setting up networks of young Disabled people
• Help with enabling parents to set up peer support groups
• Support with campaign strategy
• Access to a range of toolkits on engaging young Disabled people and schools/other education settings
• Insightful meetings and networking opportunities with other members of the network

Read about Warda and ECIL’s experience of the Inclusion Champions project. Our Inclusion Champions FAQ also has more information about inclusive education and its relevance to what DPOs do on a daily basis.

Our training and workshops

“Enjoyable, inspiring, empowering.” “Very useful and practical.” “Excellent event.” (training feedback)

Some of the workshops we have offered are below. We have no current dates arranged, but please get in touch if you are interested in coming to a future event.

Training is free and ALLFIE will contribute attendance fees.

– Principles and law of Inclusive Education

At the end of the training you will know more about education law and how it affects Disabled pupils and students and their families. You will learn about the principles of inclusive education and also:

• What is meant by inclusion for all Disabled learners.
• The Social Model of Disability and how this relates to education
• The difference between segregation, integration and inclusion
• Overview of the Children and Families Act 2014 – who is covered by SEN and Disability definitions, joint commissioning, local offer etc.
• Education, health and care plans
• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Equality Act 2010 and its interaction with the Children and Families Act 2014

Contact our Inclusion Champions Coordinator to register your interest.

– We are working together (Disabled young people’s engagement training)

Ideal training for DPOs looking at engaging and involving Disabled young people in their projects and services – suitable for frontline workers and community development workers.

Learning outcomes are:

• How to find young people to work with
• Learn to use their language to engage them
• Find out what works using social media
• Learn from them

Trainers are two young Disabled trainers with experience in the area. Contact our Inclusion Champions Coordinator to register your interest.

– Engaging with schools and other education providers

For: CEOs, senior management staff, community development officers/frontline workers

• Learn how to build relationships with schools
• Learn how to address school assemblies and offer other support to schools (eg DET)
• Learn about reasonable adjustment duties of schools and other education providers
• Learn about inclusion strategies and policies for schools

Contact our Inclusion Champions Coordinator to register your interest.

– Fundamentals of working with families

For: CEOs, senior management staff, community development officers/frontline workers

• What are the issues families face?
• Where to find families
• Recruiting and developing ally relationships

Contact our Inclusion Champions Coordinator to register your interest.

– “Knowledge is Power” train a trainer: working with young people

On request and at your DPO’s office. For: trustees, volunteers, community development workers/frontline workers

• Learn how to use our Knowledge is Power Toolkit to run activities for young people
• Train young people about Disability identity and history
• Involve young people in your organisation

Contact our Inclusion Champions Coordinator for more details and to book.