Creating an emotionally secure learning environment is vital for care-experienced young children. This mixed methods case study followed 10 primary aged children to determine the possibility of improving emotional security in the classroom. Data were also collected from teaching staff. Findings suggest that the majority of participants maintained…

Young people with learning difficulties who go to residential special schools and colleges are highly vulnerable, often living a long way from home. Transition towards adulthood--from school to college, or college and beyond--requires careful planning and support for both young people and their families. Despite national policy and guidance in…

The relationship between mental health and special educational needs is both complex and misunderstood. In this article, Richard Rose, Professor of Special and Inclusive Education, Marie Howley, Senior Lecturer, Ann Fergusson, Senior Lecturer, and Johnson Jament, a PhD student, all from the Centre for Special Needs Education and Research directed…

The risk factors for young people with intellectual disabilities developing a mental health disorder are higher than those found in the general population, yet training is very rarely available to frontline staff. A recent study in the United Kingdom cited prevalence rates of mental ill health among adults with intellectual disabilities ranging…

Specialist residential schools have been proposed as a coherent treatment approach for children with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties. This research aimed to explore the perspectives of a range of stakeholders regarding the benefits and disadvantages of attendance at a residential school for children with severe emotional and…

Restorative practices focus on repairing the harm to relationships rather than piling on more punishment for violations. Originally popularized in formal conferences between a victim and offender in the justice system, restorative practices have been extended to educational and treatment settings. This article describes how the adversarial climate…

Findings from 26 former pupils of a residential school for boys (ages 7-19) with emotional/behavioral disorders indicate that, despite some concerns, the former pupils have very positive memories of the school and felt that it had helped them to overcome their learning and behavioral difficulties. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

A survey of 35 parents of children with severe physical handicaps and severe/profound learning difficulties either attending or not attending a residential special school in Britain found that parents chose the school because of lack of local services, lack of family support, the 24-hour curriculum of the residential school, and provision of a…

A year nine pupil with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a residential school was not accessing the curriculum due to distractibility and aggressive behavior. Analysis of data gathered through individual interviews, analysis of daily staff reports, and structured behavioral observation, indicate the student functions more successfully…