N-ABLES Chairs Roundtable at 2022 Joint Brain Injury Conference

“We want to learn from other countries and their policies so that we can make a national difference for the education of children with brain injury” said Dr Emily Bennett, N-ABLES Chair at the Roundtable Discussion that took place at the 2022 Joint Brain Injury Conference in New York last week. The session entitled ‘Supporting Best Practice When Children Return to School after ABI: Resources and Guidance from Around the World’ involved discussants Prof Vicki Anderson (Australia), Dr Gemma Costello (UK) and Melissa McCart (USA).

The discussants outlined the background to Return to School (RTS) in their countries and acknowledged the differences around the world, with huge efforts clearly being made to improve education policies but with varied success. A group discussion then addressed four key questions: What is the consensus on the essential ingredients for a successful Return to Education, what are the levers that support policy change, what research has been used to influence policy and what is missing and who needs to be around the table?

Feedback from the group discussion identified the importance of collaboration, communication between healthcare providers, school personnel and families, and the requirement for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) education and training for all stakeholders. There is a wide range of excellent resources that have been produced in several countries which could be maximised. The children with brain injury require flexibility within the education system throughout their academic life, with a system that will adapt to their needs especially at key time points such as the transition from primary to secondary school. Influencing education policy at a high level is key to being able to ‘nationalise’ a consistent strategy for managing the education of children with brain injury. From a research perspective more longitudinal data is required.

“The group discussion highlighted that the challenges and barriers are global which is concerning” said Emily. “It’s important to address the problems but unfortunately the majority of people who are supporting these children in education tend to know the least about their needs; ABI education and training is crucial”.

Emily summarised the groups’ intentions going forwards. “Continued collaboration is key; working with other countries will clearly give leverage for everyone. We have an international community that wants to improve education for children with brain injury. These children require a flexible system that is child-centred and a key gaol going forwards is to raise awareness amongst all stakeholders. Knowledge and resources can be shared and although longitudinal research data is hard to collect it may be easier on an international basis. Overall an international position paper could be a starting point to begin to drive best practice for these children”.

Our thanks to The Lovel Foundation, CL Medilaw, Enable Law, Irwin Mitchell LLP, JMW Solicitors LLP and Bold Burdon Kemp LLP who supported funding of this event.