Further education and inclusive practice: past experiences, current issues and future concerns

Drawing on data collected in two stages this paper analyses the inclusive practice a college of Further and Higher Education in the North West of England. Thoughts and experiences were sought through the creation of analytical auto ethnography alongside in depth interviews with key actors. Research focused on the historical development of inclusive practices, the current issues that are being faced and the future concerns of the college as it seeks to navigate the current social, economic and political landscape. The data disclosed that the college is facing complex challenges through the current Governments fiscal policy of austerity, impacting the college’s capacity to promote social justice through inclusive practice. There has been a paradigm shift away from the continued development of full inclusion with policy reduced to its financial imperative; creating a situation where the college is no longer a site of resistance but one of survival through compliance.