Methodology
Research questions
The four key research questions are:
How do the nine countries compare in terms of their SEND policies, including in regard to: definitions and eligibility benchmarks; coverage in the primary and secondary phases; sector involvement (education, health, social care); provision routes and pathways; access arrangements and modifications; assessment; financing; and workforce training and preparedness?
How are the different policies reflected in SEND outcomes within each country?
How do stakeholders’ perceptions of the success of their SEND systems compare across the countries?
To what extent may perceived elements of best practice in SEND policy and implementation be context-specific versus applicable across countries?
Choice of countries
The project will be studying SEND provision and policies in:
Australia
Belgium
Finland
Ireland
Switzerland
UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)
The five non-UK jurisdictions were selected using an algorithmic decision-tree made up of SEND indicators present in OECD and UNESCO reports and datasets.
Analysis techniques
Documentary and text analysis methods will be used to analyse the policies and how they translate into provision, practice and outcomes. The views of educational practitioners, parents/caregivers and young people with SEND will then be explored through extensive qualitative interviews. The core research team will collaborate with academic partners based in each country to ensure a thorough understanding of the local context and recruit an appropriately diverse sample of interviewees.