School absences and exclusions experienced by children with learning disabilities and autistic children in 2016/17 in England

Author:
HATTON Chris
Journal article citation:
Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(4), 2018, pp.207-212.
Publisher:
Emerald

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine data on absences and exclusions from school amongst children with learning disabilities and autistic children in England in 2016/2017. Design/methodology/approach: Data were drawn from Department for Education statistics for the school year 2016/2017 on school absences (authorised and unauthorised) and school exclusions (fixed-period and permanent) for children in the primary special educational needs categories of moderate learning difficulty (MLD), severe learning difficulty (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulty (PMLD) and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Findings: Authorised school absence rates were higher for all groups of children investigated compared to children without special educational needs, primarily due to illnesses and health-related appointments. Rates of unauthorised school absences were low. Rates of fixed-period and permanent school exclusions were higher for children with MLD and ASD compared to children without SEN, and lower for children with SLD and PMLD. Reasons given for exclusions were similar across children (persistent disruptive behaviour, physical assault against a pupil, verbal abuse against an adult), although physical assault against an adult was also commonly mentioned for children with SLD, PMLD or ASD. Social implications: Reducing school absences for children with learning disabilities and autistic children will involve co-ordination of health and social care support arrangements to ensure they are convenient and efficient for children and families. In terms of exclusions, schools need to consider the extent to which they are making reasonable adjustments for children with learning disabilities and autistic children. Originality/value: This paper presents in one place statistics concerning school absences and school exclusions for children with learning disabilities and autistic children in England.

Subject terms:
school children, special educational needs, school exclusion, learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions, statistical methods, data analysis, schools;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
England
Link:
Journal home page
DOI:
10.1108/TLDR-07-2018-0021
ISSN print:
1359-5474

Key to icons

  • Free resource Free resource
  • Journal article Journal article
  • Book Book
  • Digital media Digital media
  • Journal Journal

Give us your feedback

Social Care Online continues to be developed in response to user feedback.

Contact us with your comments and for any problems using the website.

Sign up/login for more

Register/login to access resource links, advanced search and email alerts