Updated guidance on developing and implementing school uniform policy is a welcome step forward in the consideration of SEND needs in the school environment. The guidance highlights the importance of governing boards considering the guidance “to help ensure that they comply with their obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010”.
The update makes it clear that governing boards should be aware of the needs of pupils with SEND and “consider whether certain items of clothing could create challenges” for them. When doing this, leaders need to be aware of how uniform policy “aligns with human rights and equalities legislation” and pupil wellbeing, among other things.” There is an expectation that in relation to pupils with SEND school leaders should review “what flexibilities, adaptions, adjustments or alternatives might mitigate any negative impact on these pupils” and in response can adopt “a more comfortable or less restrictive uniform” or a “more flexible policy that allows pupils to choose from a range of items”.
The guidance also highlights the need to work in partnership with families to develop and review the school’s uniform policy, ensuring that this document is co-produced.
PACC welcomes this new guidance with stronger messages about making reasonable adjustments for SEND pupils. For many years parent carers have highlighted the negative impact of discomfort due to inflexible uniform policies, experienced by many children and young people with SEND. Not meeting this basic need has impacted many young people’s ability to access education and damaged school-based relationships. This issue has been championed through the work done via programmes such as Autism in Schools and the Partnership for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS), promoting a move to a more inclusive culture within the school environment. PACC has been central to delivering this work in Shropshire and supporting this change to happen.
You can read the updated guidance here