School of Education celebrates research awards

Staff from the Centre for Education and Research (CeSNER) in the School of Education have been awarded almost three quarters of a million Euros to carry out projects funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus Plus programme.

The University is leading a strategic partnership of universities, NGOs and parent associations which will establish parent education programmes for the mothers and fathers of children on the autism spectrum in Croatia, Cyprus and the Republic of Macedonia. Such programmes have been shown to reduce stress and improve outcomes (including engagement with education, employability and overall wellbeing) for all family members. However, at present this type of support is either extremely limited or non-existent in many parts of Europe. Evaluation of the work undertaken in these countries will lead to the development of training materials that will be accessible across Europe, as well as informing European policy in this area. The project, named Equity and Social Inclusion through Positive Parenting (ESIPP)’, will run for three years from September 2015, and has a total budget of over €430,000. For more details about this project, please contact David Preece.

We are also leading another strategic partnership of universities, partnered with differing organisational structures including VET/HE institutions, employers, NGOs and disability organisations in the Czech Republic, Germany and Finland and including City of Oxford FE College. This project is focusing on improving employment opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and will produce guidance for employers as well as self-advocacy materials, in the form of a ‘passport to employment’, for the young people themselves. The project materials will be available in four languages, and again are intended to inform policy and practice across Europe. This project will run for 2 years with an overall grant of over €270,000. For more details about this work, please contact Sheena Bell or Helen Trory.

These two projects support the University’s 2020 strategy in particular with regard to our social impact to inspire people, learning to adapt and supporting NGOs, young people, adults and removing the negative impression of disability in general.

Professor Richard Rose, Head of CeSNER, said: “These excellent results demonstrate the expertise and knowledge of staff within the University of Northampton. These projects will have clear and practical social outcomes, improving the lives of young people and their families.”​​​