Bullying, Discrimination & Exclusions
Resources
Bullying
Children with special needs are more at risk of bullying. Sometimes they may be more likely to bully others too. Bullying is very distressing for children and parents, but there are things you can do to support your child if you think they are being bullied. The first step is to talk to your child.
For more help and information:
- Call the Amaze helpline
- Download our factsheet 'Bullied at school'
Disability Discrimination
Schools are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). This means they must not treat your child less favourably than other children for a reason to do with their disability. And they must take reasonable steps to make sure that disabled children coming to the school will not be put at a disadvantage. This applies to all aspects of school life from admissions to school trips, although not to major physical alterations to school buildings. The Equality and Human Rights Commission publish a Code of Practice which explains how the DDA applies to schools which you can download or order from their website. All schools have to produce a Disability Equality Scheme which sets out how they will promote the interests of disabled people in all aspects of school life.
If you feel a school has discriminated against your child, you may be able to use the DDA to protect their interests. For example refusing to let a child start school because they wear nappies could be discrimination under the DDA and you could use this to get the school to rethink their attitude. But in each situation you will need to get some more advice first.
For more help and information, call the Amaze helpline or visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Exclusions
Children with special needs are at extra risk of being excluded at some point in their school life. Sometimes it is only when your child faces exclusion that you realise they have special needs that are not being met at school. It is a very worrying time for parents and children. You need to get good advice. Amaze can offer advice and support to parents of children who are excluded, where there is a link between the exclusion and special needs. We are not currently able to help parents at exclusion hearings.
For more help and information:
- Call the Amaze Helpline for initial advice
- Ring the national exclusions information line run by the Advisory Centre for Education on 0808 800 0327 (24 hour answerphone service)
Parents of children with special needs also often find that schools ask them to collect their child early or send them home whenever there is a problem. Sometimes they suggest that the child only comes to school part-time. Even though the school does not call this a formal exclusion, it is excluding the child in practice. Frequent informal exclusions of this kind may be a sign that your child is not getting the support they need. Raise this with the school. You can ask Amaze for help and advice.