With more parents of disabled children seeking a mainstream place for their child, educational professionals are increasingly being faced with the task of making these placements successful. For many this can be their first experience of including a child with significant difficulties. This book is aimed at all those, be they parents, teachers, learning support assistants, SENCOs, school managers, governors or LEA officers who are charged with ensuring that inclusion is effective both for individual children and for schools as a whole.

Each chapter looks at the practicalities from a different perspective, focusing on the questions that need asking, the work that needs to be carried out before the child starts and practical steps that each person in the network can take to make sure that all those concerned are happy, are learning effectively and are fully included in the life of the school.

Stephanie Lorenz is a freelance educational consultant, trainer and a lay member of the SEN Tribunal.

Introduction; First Steps for Parents; First Steps for Early Years Settings; First Steps for Primary Schools; First Steps for Secondary Schools; First Steps for SENCOs; First Steps for Class Teachers; First Steps for Learning Support Assistants; First Steps for Governors; First Steps for Local Authorities; Resources; Index.