The Experiences of Children with SEN and disabilities

Expressions of interest should be no more than 2,000 words, provide evidence of their knowledge and interest in the area and how their experience to date would benefit the project.

The voice of the child is a highly individualised and subjective account that would provide a rich and individualised exploration of the reality of difference.

To date in Northern Ireland, there has been limited data on the experiences of children with SEN and disabilities from their own perspective. This includes child experiences of inclusion and the preference of pupils for special or mainstream education.

Research in this area would offer a distinctive and nuanced dimension to existing multi-level explorations of inclusion. An associated and equally under-researched area is the transition of pupils between mainstream and special schools. Data on the movement of pupils from special to mainstream schools (and vice versa) would provide significant information on the reality of inclusive practice.