ABSTRACT
The Children Act 1989 marked a watershed in terms of attitude toward, and expectations for, disabled children and their families. For the first time, disabled children were brought within a common legislative framework with other children. In effect, the 'social model' of disability was firmly acknowledged, and decades of residential care within health settings was ended. The United Kingdom, like the USA, has seen an ongoing debate over several decades about what constitutes effective early identification and intervention strategies for young children with SEN or disabilities. The Children Act 1989 marked a radical change in policy and practice for children's services by including children with disabilities within a common framework for all 'children in need'. There are likely to be two positive outcomes of the use of the Assessment Framework: firstly, greater participation by social services departments in educational assessment; and, secondly, stronger partnerships between education and social services in protecting vulnerable children.
