| Unit name | Social Inclusion |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ACHSM0007 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mrs. Beth Tarleton |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
ACHSM0001 Inclusive Research with Disabled People & ACHSM0002 Citizenship and Participation |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Inclusion in society has been heralded as the goal of social care, health and educational policy since the 1990s, and has reached a new salience with the changes in social and health care policy since DH (2006). Instead of providing specialist provision, we are all urged to look towards generally available services (such as mainstream schools or GP surgeries) as well as towards 'communities' to provide the support context for disabled people. At the same time, paradoxically, we know that for people with learning disabilities, social networks remain perilously low, and making and keeping meaningful relationships has to be a priority goal. Within education, inclusive schooling for pupils who have severe learning disabilities or complex needs requires systemic work with all the key players in order to ensure that pupils are not just 'placed' within mainstream schools, but become a full part of that community and develop social relations with others in the school. The purpose of this unit is to develop and explore what we mean by inclusive communities. The unit will enable students to reflect critically on what 'community' really means, and to analyse practices for supporting people to access their own, local community, to develop relationships and to contribute as active citizens.
