The National Association of BESD schools (engage in their future) was formed in 1999 to enable Headteachers within the BESD (Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties) sector to influence BESD issues locally, regionally and nationally. The Association’s principle aims and objectives have been to ‘express a collective BESD voice’, to provide peer support and training for managers and to promote the sharing of good practice at all levels within the BESD sector.
engage in their future has been effective in all of these areas and our members, in particular, appreciate the benefits to the sector of our close co-operative working relationships with the DfE (The Department for Children, Schools and Families). This has been most obvious in recent times with the emergence of a more defined role for our schools in working with mainstream colleagues to support inclusive education for SEN (Special Educational Needs) pupils. The national, regional and local networks provided by engage in their future have enabled the dissemination of good practice up and down the country. In turn the DfE has benefited from having direct access to an association of serving School Leaders for consultation and direct working.
Up until recently the association has been run voluntarily by Heads of BESD schools. In 2007 it was agreed by the engage in their future National Committee to appoint the first employee of engage in their future, a Chief Executive Officer to take the association to the next level. The CEO joined engage in their future at the end of January 2008 and a clear Vision, Mission Statement, Strategy and 3 year Operational Plan are now in place.