Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child relate to a Child’s Rights to an Education.
By Dorset SENDIASS
In the UK it wasn’t actually until 1970 that disabled children – previously classed as being unable to be educated – were given a right to participate in education. However, the law has changed substantially since then: Protocol 1, Article 2 of the Human Rights Act, Article 28 and 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, all state the right of disabled people to receive an education. Young people, with or without a learning disability, must now be in education or training until at least the age of 16. In England, they must then do one of the following until they are 18:
· stay in full-time education, e.g., at a college
· start an apprenticeship or traineeship
· work or volunteer (for 20 hours or more a week) while in part-time education or training.
When it comes to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Article 29 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child seems very pertinent as it focuses on the aims of education and says, amongst other things, that governments agree that
“the education of the child shall be directed to:
The development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential”.
If a child or Young Person has SEND, then being aware of the relevant rights is an important first step in ensuring that the child or Young Person is receiving the appropriate support to develop their “personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential”.
There are many services that can support children and Young People in gaining the support they are entitled to receive: Dorset SENDIASS is a free, impartial and confidential service that provides information, advice and support to the following people:
· children and young people aged from 0 to 25 with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND)
· parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.
Our Case Officers are trained to the highest level of IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) and have many years of experience in supporting families to navigate the SEND system.
Website: Dorset SENDIASS
Facebook: DorsetSENDIASS
IPSEA offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
