Editorial

This edition begins with Richard Rieser’s moving tribute to Micheline Mason, the founder of the Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE), highlighting her contribution to the inclusive education movement. This tribute, on page 3, reminds us of the work that was done before us, and the foundations of the work ALLFIE is continuing in the campaign for inclusive education.

In the second article, Mel Ainscow, Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Manchester, highlights how inclusion “involves a never-ending process, rather than a simple change of state” and provides recommendations for reforms in England (page 7). Also looking at SEND reform, Sharon Smith, parent and PhD researcher, discusses systemic issues that limit the opportunities for Young Disabled people and cause barriers transitioning to higher education and employment (page 12). ALLFIE’s Youth Project Co-Lead, Yewande Akintelu-Omoniyi, also discusses how the language of SEND has devalued education (page 19).

In policy news, we focus on the SEND crisis. On page 15, I comment on changes the Labour Government has implemented, or announced, in its first 100 days in office. ALLFIE’s Campaigns Lead, Iyiola Olafimihan, explains how the scope of the crises in the SEND system calls for an urgent overhaul (page 24), and on page 27, Richard Reiser discusses the ISOS Partnership Report.

On page 22, Melody Powell and Sharon Smith’s infographic explains Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). There’s information about Disability History Month 2024 on page 30, and we close this magazine with the Legal Question (page 31), on schools refusing Disabled children.