Education (SEND Inclusion) MA
28 Months Part- Time | September Start

This module aims to engage you in a critical appreciation of the complexities of autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, one of a number of early onset, overlapping lifelong disorders often with some degree of accompanying general or specific cognitive impairment. It can have a major impact on how people learn, interact and behave There is a genetic component, as well as environmental influences.
You will analyse professional or familial practice, including your own, and will evaluate the effect of differing perceptions, particularly the perceptions of people with a label of autism. You will learn that autistic people (term preferred by people on the spectrum) continue to grow and develop throughout life, and education in its broadest sense is the key to helping children and adults aim for a rich and rewarding life. You will learn about and evaluate concepts used to diagnose autism spectrum disorders and their impact, including how this has changed over time. You will develop an understanding of the psychological and cognitive theories of the causes of autism, including educational, social and medical factors and their impact. You will critically explore the impact of autism on the individual and her/his family and learning environment. In the teaching group you will articulate and evaluate the application of your learning and new understanding to the context in which you work or interact with autistic people.
You will be able to disseminate your knowledge gained through enquiry to an academic and professional audience

The aim of the module is to develop an understanding of the Education system in England; where it has come from and how it works in practice today. This will enable you to put all other education related modules into context. It will give you an understanding of the education system in England and allow you to identify and appraise its many facets. You will explore the UK system and consider the key features of the modern-day education system and the rationale which underpins that system. You will explore research papers, texts and policy documents and consider how they might challenge commonly held assumptions and beliefs about the current system.

In this module you will focus on the role of the practitioner as a research user and you will have the opportunity to articulate and negotiate a Master’s level enquiry relevant to you and your practice. You will have the opportunity to make effective and systematic use of published research to inform education practice and/or policy. You will learn how to interrogate electronic databases efficiently and effectively analyse qualitative data and write up your findings. Through this process, you will develop your critical appraisal skills. This module enables you to carry out a very small-scale piece of research which you undertake with the support of the module tutor.

This module will give you the opportunity to explore issues, understandings and knowledge of Inclusive practice in the school setting to include that of children with special educational needs. You will engage in critical discourse with regard to pertinent issues of the Inclusion /SEN agenda.

You will examine the following topics:
• Key principles of inclusion: a whole school approach
• Leading and managing change.
• Legislation, policy and guidance on supporting learners and their families, parents and carers.
• Pedagogy/Education theory and approaches to delivery for diverse abilities and needs.
• SEND and models of disability
• Appraisal of recent research and implications for Classroom/School Practice
• Action research and professional scholarship
• Developing an emerging philosophy in an ever-changing world of education.

This module aims to facilitate learning and apply theory and best practices in behaviour self-management with individuals with autism. The module will help you to explore approaches to changing and developing new behaviour and the barriers to such implementation. In addition, it will enable you to identify and promote more independent and competent behaviour and address appropriate forms of practice towards individuals with autism. You will be encouraged to find ways to support people with autism to manage their behaviour increase their social repertoires and decrease behaviours which prevent them from maximising learning and achieving full participation in society. You will examine critically the reasons for behaviours which challenge those working with individuals with autism. You will analyse the relationships which exist between communication and behaviour including social-emotional issues. You will develop an increased understanding of sensory issues and the relationship with behaviour and learning. In addition, you will take part in a critical exploration of the issues involved in ensuring effective teaching and learning for children and adults on the autism spectrum. It will involve examining pertinent issues around teaching and learning. You will be encouraged to participate in the process of reflective practice, analysis of learning and social constructions of learning.

This module provides the underpinning skills and knowledge necessary to undertake independent research in education and training at Level 7. It will give you the opportunity to develop practical and theoretical skills in the use and understanding of different research paradigms, methodological approaches and their associated research methods. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of related issues, including but not restricted to, ethical concerns, data management and analysis, the use conceptual frameworks and how to engage critically with the literature. The module has a strong focus on practice, and you will be encouraged to take this as your starting point, to question and problematize professional concerns, and to develop those as research problems and questions.
This will provide you with a framework to critique and question research, policy and practice and their impact on Education and Training. Drawing on this, you will be able to develop a research proposal which addresses a professional concern, drawing on contemporary and relevant research literature in order to analyse and justify your methodological approach. You will also be supported to explore subject based literature in order to support your identification and exploration of a research problem.

On this module you will explore the following topics:
• The responsibilities of the SEN(D)Co within the statutory and regulatory context for SEND and disability equality
• The role of the SEN(D)Co in liaising with other professionals and schools / organisations.
• Co-ordinating a team and including all stakeholders to provide person- centred support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Team dynamics and continuous professional development
• Managing transitions
• An overview of the key characteristics of common impairments that children who are identified as having Special/additional learning needs might present with

This is a work based learning module that focuses your learning on the needs of your organisation and how they can be met through the initiation of change through a quality improvement project. It involves a tripartite relationship between you, your organisation and the university, facilitating your engagement with theory from the university and workplace activity concurrently. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of a range of models, concepts and theories that will help you to become engaged in well informed and meaningful work-based enquiry and project management. Through a combination of university seminar and inter-session activities in the workplace, the module will help you to develop a critical awareness of a range of appropriate approaches to project planning, implementation and evaluation appropriate to your own organisational and professional context. Learning from this module will enable you to develop a project based approach to complex issues in your practice using structured project management, change management, reflective models, leadership approaches while taking ethical, confidentiality, data protection and professional codes of practice into consideration. This module will develop a culture of project based approaches to complex issues in your practice. It will develop in you the confidence to initiate and lead change in your practice in response to challenges faced on a daily basis in organisations, effectively making you a lifelong change agent in your career. While it is a stand-alone module, taken before the 60 credit work based dissertation this module can be used to plan the major quality improvement dissertation.