[senit] Who is providing you with support in the field of ICT and Inclusion?

Hello everyone

As many of you will know, Becta organised a meeting last Friday to report on the effects of the changes made to their Inclusion Support Team. 

I was one of the people invited and one particular thing at the meeting disturbed me greatly - the disappearance of support for those working in the field of ICT and SEN.  The penny has finally dropped for me.  However much we protest about what is happening inside Becta, it will not make much difference to the basic situation.  The role of Becta has changed since the DfES has decreed that Becta's role is strategic. If I understand the situation correctly, that means Becta will look at what is going on in the ICT and report 'upwards' to the DfES, advising them on what to do.  They are no longer charged with the responsibility of delivering training and support 'downwards' to people working in the field.  So whatever the effects of the dispersed Inclusion team, they are no longer able to deliver the support that they did in the past e.g. conferences, publications, meetings.  But what has the government put in its place?   

My question to you all is this - who is providing you with support in the field of ICT and Inclusion?

It is important for us to get as wide a picture as possible of the current situation so I would appreciate as many responses as we can get.  I know that some of you might be nervous about replying to the list if you have never done so but this would be a good time to start because it is your own personal situation as a professional working in the field of ICT and Inclusion that matters.  If you would prefer to answer me off the list my email address is lesley.rahamin at btinternet.com.  

Lesley Rahamin
Education Consultant