Using the social model checklist for school and college reps

With the current drive by government to include more SEN and Disabled students in mainstream education now is the time to embed social model approaches into schools/colleges.

Published:
Download
Checklist England Wales Northern Ireland Disability Equality

The steps below should be considered alongside the Using the social model in schools guide and the NEU Disability Equality Toolkit.

The social model of disability argues that people are disabled not by their impairment or difference but by barriers in society. These barriers can be physical but, just as often, they are the result of other people’s attitudes. Removing these barriers – which can sometimes involve quite small modifications to our own behaviour or ways of thinking – can create greater equality and promote the inclusion of Disabled people.

Social model thinking

  • Discuss with your union group ways in which, by using the social model, some changes could be negotiated in your workplace to create disability equality for staff and students – you may find the suggested reasonable adjustments advice in the Disability Equality Toolkit useful.
  • Make members aware to self-ID to the union and discuss the pros and cons with them of self ID-ing to the employer.
  • Share the social model of disability information with your school leaders and chair of governors and discuss the changes suggested by disabled and non-disabled colleagues that can be made in your workplace to improve disability equality.
  • Check all policies follow the social model – Use social model language Do’s and Don’ts in the Disability Equality Toolkit. 
  • Negotiate implementing a reasonable adjustment passport policy in your workplace.
  • Use the reasonable adjustment passport to document agreed adjustments and log reviews.
  • Negotiate implementing a disability leave policy – remember, disability leave can be used as a reasonable adjustment.
  • Provide accessible union communications and meetings. 
  • Audit workplace accessibility (with health and safety rep if you have one and in discussion with members) – e.g. can every staff member access the staffroom, are hearing loops available, is notice given of meetings and agendas in advance etc (see the DET reasonable adjustments advice – making work fit). 
  • Negotiate with leaders access to training on social model approaches.

Reasonable adjustments can include:

  • Making physical changes to the workplace, like installing a ramp for a wheelchair user or an audio-visual fire alarm for a deaf person. 
  • Letting a disabled person work somewhere else, such as on the ground floor for someone with impaired mobility. 
  • Changing equipment, for instance raising or lowering a white board or changing the lighting.
  • Allowing employees who become disabled to make a phased return to work, including flexible hours or part-time working.
  • Offering employees training opportunities, recreation and refreshment facilities.

 

Disability toolkit graphic

Disability equality toolkit

The tools will upskill and educate members, leaders and work colleagues on disability equality and building more inclusive schools and colleges.

Back to top