Going to school can be hard enough, but if you have additional needs, it can be even more
challenging. Navigating daily classroom. Life is difficult at best, and being bullied certainly
does not help the situation. A new report from the UK shows worrying evidence that over a
third of their children registered as having special educational needs are bullied in schools.
As an NDIS provider on the Gold Coast, this is certainly disturbing news.
A Government Funded Survey
A government-funded survey has revealed that one-third of young individuals with special
educational needs (SEN) in England encountered violent bullying within the past year. The
study, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research in collaboration with the
National Children’s Bureau and on behalf of the Department for Education, involved
approximately 3,000 young people with SEN aged 12 or 13.
Findings indicate that 63 per cent of those surveyed experienced some form of bullying,
with a higher prevalence among individuals who were autistic or faced social, emotional, or
mental health challenges. This contrasts with a 2013 study involving all young people aged
13 and 14, where 40 per cent reported bullying in the preceding year.
Sticks and Stones – Words Really Can Hurt
Name-calling was reported by 47 per cent of those with SEN, while 35 per cent faced threats
of violence, and 33 per cent were victims of violence in the last year. Additionally, 18 per
cent reported being called names related to their impairment.
Despite the challenges, 72% of young people with SEN expressed overall happiness with
their lives, and 90% were content with their families. However, only 55 per cent reported
satisfaction with their school. The survey indicated that 94 per cent expected to have a job
in the future, and 54 per cent aspired to attend college or university after leaving school.
Mainstream school attendees (56 per cent) were more inclined to pursue further education
than those in alternative provisions (42 per cent) or special schools (38 per cent). Notably,
young people with SEN and an education, health, and care (EHC) plan were less likely to
spend unsupervised time with friends than those without a plan.
The study emphasised that young individuals with autism and those facing social, emotional,
and mental health difficulties were at a higher risk of adverse outcomes compared to their
peers with SEN.
It Isn’t All Bad News
The research is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to establish a comprehensive
survey of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
in England. In addition to the youth participants, around 3,500 parents and guardians
participated in the survey. Among the young individuals analysed, 85 per cent attended
mainstream schools, 12 per cent special schools, and two per cent were in alternative
provision.