Survey
2016 Survey
In 2016, pdnet carried out its first survey of the support provided by local authorities for children and young people with physical disability (PD).
With over 60 LAs responding, the survey gave powerful insight and understanding as to how learners with PD are supported across the national educational system and enabled the first reliable baseline measurement to be established.
Survey
2018 Survey
In January 2018, pdnet launched its second survey to enable the national profile of support for learners with PD to be updated.
Headlines from the pdnet 2018 national survey
pdnet is delighted to share the findings of the second national baseline of support for learners with physical disability (PD) in which 40 Local Authorities representing 44 LAs took part.
This report is intended for anyone with an interest in the education of children and young people with a physical disability, whether in the mainstream or specialist sector.
The survey covered the 2018/19 academic year. Its main purpose was to strengthen understanding of how learners with PD are supported within the national educational system, and to identify what changes have occurred since the first pdnet survey in 2016.
Summary of key findings
- The population of CYP with PD in England with physical disability as their primary need has increased by 23.2% over the past 2 years, largely reflected in an increase in the population of learners with PD in the early years and primary age phases.
- There is a small decrease (1%) in the number of learners who attend mainstream settings; in 2018, 88% of all learners with a physical disability attended a mainstream setting.
- There is a 3% decrease in the number of learners with an EHCP plan in mainstream settings. In 2018 69% of learners with an EHCP for PD attended mainstream settings (in 2016 this was 72%).
- 68% of LAs do not have pathways for learners who require a high level of assistive technology to access learning.
- 80% of LAs now have their Accessibility Strategy available via their Local Offer.
- At a time when the educational landscape has changed rapidly, pdnet members continue to raise concerns about the impact on learners with a physical disability. The survey data confirms the findings in 2016 that the picture around support for learners with PD is inconsistent and fragmented with inequitable provision between Local Authorities.
- Despite a significant increase in the overall population of CYP with PD from 28,212 (2016) to 34,765 (2018), specialist PD support services have continued to disappear; casualties of the austere financial climate in the public sector, alongside a decrease in LA budgets for building adaptations and specialist equipment. At the same time, there has been an increase in delegated responsibilities to mainstream schools via school forums or alternative mechanisms for funding. Whilst 71% of LAs indicate that their Accessibility Strategies are available via their Local Offer with 51% monitoring School Access Plans, pdnet member feedback suggests there is little evidence of plans being used or understood in schools, with poor alignment between access planning and pupil need.
- On a positive note, almost 90% of respondents are now aware of pdnet and our activity — a significant shift since 2016.