Developing a staff development programme to encourage inclusion of disabled learners
Dr Rob Rodgers, SEN planning and development manager, Education Walsall

Dr Rob Rodgers is SEN Planning and Development Manager at Education Walsall. His whole professional career has focussed on removing barriers to achievement for children and young people with SEN and disabilities, vulnerable children and children in need. He is well versed in actively promoting and facilitating their presence, participation and achievement and working with multi-agency colleagues and parents/carers to achieve this vision. His doctoral research included staff development, inclusion and deaf learners.

He is part of the core group which leads and delivers the local authority's 'SEN Involvement Programme' - an interactive development programme that addresses SEN and disability developments within the borough. He is part of the management team that developed and delivered the SEN Involvement Programme Part 1 and 2, which received regional and national praise. These programmes involved colleagues from schools and the local authority working together to embed SEN and inclusion within Walsall, and ensuring that agreed procedures are in place. He is part of the core group that achieved Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark status for the authority and is now working across 30 schools to support their achieving of the School Quality Mark.

He leads Walsall's parent/carer forum and the youth forum, and is a firm advocate of involving parents and carers and children and young people in the development of education systems. He is also particularly keen on the Teacher Learning Academy and is a TLA leader and verifier.