In December 2009, ABA was commissioned by government to investigate 'what works' in tackling the bullying of children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities following the Lamb Inquiry into Special Educational Needs and Parental Confidence.

The resulting project is examining both the literature on this topic as well as existing practice and will be issuing research papers and practical briefings regularly.

The first paper to be posted here was the scoping study, completed in March 2010, which assesses the scale and scope of the evidence for identifying the most effective approaches that schools can take to prevent and respond to bullying of children with special needs and disabilities. 

The full literature review was completed in October 2010 and is now available to download. The team have also prepared a briefing paper based on the review.

Another briefing paper, from the Council for Disabled Children, reports a series of discussions held with children and young people, which were framed by the themes emerging from the review.

The latest papers are a  briefing paper for head teachers and school staff, which highlights key findings from the review and implications for policies and practice in schools, and  a report asessing the evidence for effective practice in schools and local authorities. Case studies of validated local practice are now available

The latest papers, based on an online survey and supported by the expertise of Contact a Family,are:

Bullying of children with disabilities and Special Educational Needs in schools: briefing paper for schools on the views and experiences of parents, carers and families [PDF 144KB]

Bullying of children with disabilities and Special Educational Needs in schools: briefing paper for parents on the views and experiences of other parents, carers and families [PDF 136KB]

Full list of ABA SEND project papers

Contact a Family (2011) Bullying of children with disabilities and Special Educational Needs in schools: briefing paper for schools on the views and experiences of parents, carers and families [PDF 144KB]

Contact a Family (2011) Bullying of children with disabilities and Special Educational Needs in schools: briefing paper for parents on the views and experiences of other parents, carers and families [PDF 136KB]

McLaughlin, C., Byers, R. and Peppin-Vaughan, R. (2011) Findings of the comprehensive review of the literature: Responding to bullying among children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Briefing paper for head teachers and school staff [PDF 319KB]

McLaughlin, C., Byers, R. and Oliver, C. (2011) Responding to bullying among children with special educational needs and/or disabilities: validating practice in schools and local authorities [PDF 825KB]

Council for Disabled Children (2010) Responding to bullying among children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities: the views and experiences of children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities [PDF 158KB]

McLaughlin, C., Byers, R. and Peppin Vaughan, R. (2010) Responding to bullying among children with special educational needs and/or disabilities: a comprehensive literature review [PDF 931KB]

McLaughlin, C., Byers, R. and Peppin Vaughan, R. (2010) Responding to bullying among children with special educational needs and/or disabilities: briefing paper [PDF 262KB]

McLaughlin, C., Byers, R. and Peppin Vaughan, R. (2010) Scoping study: responding to bullying among children with special educational needs and disabilities [PDF 368KB]