Creating Enabling Environments

An enabling environment helps every child and young person feel welcome, safe and ready to learn. It reflects a school culture where relationships, routines and spaces are designed to reduce anxiety, anticipate barriers and support participation. These environments recognise sensory, physical, communication and emotional needs and adapt proactively with input from children, families and professionals. When environments are inclusive by design and reviewed regularly, children feel a stronger sense of belonging, are better able to regulate and engage, and are supported to thrive across the school day.

A black triangle with, PCG in the middle. This is clickable, and will open a parent carer guide on the corresponding area within section one of the OAG

View the ‘Creating Enabling Environments’ Parent Carer Guide

Expectations

Leaders create an inclusive ethos and culture where every child and young person feels welcome, valued and ready to learn within the school community.

Staff receive training to understand sensory, communication and emotional differences, and to adapt the physical and social environment accordingly.

Staff make reasonable adjustments and adaptations when considering pupils’ needs, challenges and barriers.

Learning and social spaces are organised to reduce barriers, support accessibility and promote positive interaction, connection and belonging.

The environment design recognises and supports diverse communication needs, using visuals, alternative communication methods and accessible resources.

Adjustments and adaptations to the environment and policies are made in ways that support children and young people to access education.

Adaptations are reviewed regularly with children, families and relevant professionals to ensure settings remain enabling and inclusive.

Schools avoid practices that may stigmatise or isolate learners, and design routines and responses that uphold dignity, safety and a strong sense of belonging.

Signposts and Support

Classroom Checklist – Neuroinclusive Education Network (NEN) Resource
Design Principles for schools: Neuroinclusive Education Network (NEN) Resource
C-SENSE Environment Audits – A FREE checklist that can be used to evaluate the mainstream school environment used by children with sensory processing differences
Trauma Informed Multi-Agency Working Resource Pack – Pages 21 and 22 provide visual ideas for creating a regulating environment
Equality Act 2010 – Government legislation making provisions that reduce inequalities
Communication-friendly environment tools e.g. symbol-supported resources, AAC guidance and visual communication e.g. Widgit Symbols
Communication-Friendly and Sensory Processing audits

Creating Enabling Environments

Expectations

Signposts and Support

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