Q19. How can we make sure that Inclusion Bases help children and young people succeed in mainstream settings?

The context: Current terms, such as SEN unit, resourced provision, pupil support units and internal alternative provision will be collectively described as ‘Inclusion Bases’ in mainstream settings. There will be two models – ‘Support Bases’ to deliver Targeted Support, and ‘Specialist Bases’ to deliver Specialist Support. The intention is that every secondary school will have an Inclusion Base, with an equivalent number of places in local primary schools. National guidance will set out the principles and standards of high-quality practice.

In your answer, you may want to consider:

• The School Admissions Code currently gives the highest priority to looked after and previously looked after children on account of their need to access a suitable setting following a placement move, and a frequent need for high quality, trauma-informed provision which is not available in every setting. However, this does not apply where an eligible child has an EHCP. Since only a limited number of primary schools in an area will have an Inclusion Base, what measures will be taken to ensure that looked after and previously looked after children with an EHCP are able to attend an appropriate mainstream setting that can meet their needs through a Specialist Base?
• How will Guidance ensure that Inclusion Bases do not become a ‘school within a school’ with children accessing Bases largely separated from their peers rather than truly included in the life of the school?