Partnerships for Inclusive Education: A Critical Approach to Collaborative Working

Synopsis

Increased partnership between professionals, particularly through the integration of services, indicates a major opportunity for child and parent participation, but one that seems in danger of being side-stepped. Drawing on substantial research evidence, this book looks at reasons for this situation, what is happening now, what developments and initiatives have been tried and what can we do to develop a culture of participation. Some of the main threats to participation are discussed in this book such as: Has 'partnership' ever been? Who is excluded from partnership? Which discourses have made participation illusive - and what are the implications - theoretical and practical - for how we move forward? "Partnerships for Inclusive Education" includes a helpful framework map which guides critical thinking towards the development of a culture of collaboration, and presents original and stimulating ideas to open up the complex processes that can frustrate participative practice. Combining socio-cultural ideas with post-structural thinking gives this book a strong yet accessible theoretical basis, making it a valuable resource to both an academic and an educational professional audience.