Children with emotional or behavioural problems will benefit from an initiative to forge closer links between schools providing for special educational needs and mainstream schools. The initiative is part of the strategy to ensure maximum inclusion in the mainstream system.Special needs schools are being urged to develop their outreach role. Mainstream schools with special needs children are being encouraged to use the experience of staff in special needs schools in developing lessons.

The centrepiece of the initiative is an interactive CD ROM ‘Connecting Schools for Inclusion’. It shows teachers first hand how others have tackled the challenges inclusion presents and is designed to encourage discussion and action to promote inclusion. Case studies show how mainstream schools have been supported and how stronger links between mainstream and special schools have benefited both sectors and pupils.