Warwickshire Direct
Special educational needs
All children experience successes as they go through school; all children have some difficulties. A child with special educational needs is one who will require something additional to or different from what is provided for other children of the same age in order to make progress. Around one in five of all pupils may have special educational needs at some time.
What to do if you think your child has Special Educational Needs.
Your first point of contact should be your child's school. Discuss your child's progress with the class teacher or tutor. If you feel that your child is not making adequate progress speak to the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). As a first step the SENCO will probably discuss your child's performance and progress with class or subject teachers. This may reassure you that progress is being made and nothing additional or different is required.
However if there is agreement that progress is not adequate, the SENCO will discuss with you the arrangements it will make to support your child. This support is called 'School Action' and will be set out in an Individual Education Plan (IEP). You and your child will be involved in setting the targets set out in the IEP. This is important because the targets are more likely to be achieved if everyone pulls together.
In supporting children with special educational needs schools and the LA have to take account of the SEN Code of Practice. Your child's school will have its own SEN Policy. This will detail how the school will implement the Code.
If you feel that you need further support and guidance, you can contact Warwickshire Parent Partnership Service. They are an independent organisation which will give help and information to parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs.
Warwickshire Parent Partnership Service
Warwickshire Parent Partnership Service provides support for parents and carers of children with special educational needs.
The service can provide:
- general information about special educational needs and disabilities
- Impartial advice and support
- one-to-one support through phone calls, home visits and attending meetings
- support during statutory assessment (including understanding and filling in paperwork)
- parents' meetings, workshops and conferences
- access to an Independent Parental Supporter
- a termly newsletter
- local drop-in advice sessions
Please contact
02476 588464
Other related service
Educational psychology
The Educational Psychology Service provides psychological advice and support. Educational psychologists focus on improving outcomes for children with special educational needs or those who may be vulnerable for other reasons. They apply their knowledge of psychology and child development to promote young people’s learning and development in a range of settings.
Please contact
01926 742147
Integrated Disability Service (IDS)
The Integrated Disability Service brings together professionals from education, social care, health and Connexions to provide a range of services to support disabled children, young people and their families/carers at home, school and other settings.
Please contact
lynnebarton@warwickshire.gov.uk
01926 742240 or 01926 410410 and ask for IDS in North, East or South
Assessment, Statementing and Review Service (ASRS)
ASRS is responsible for co-ordinating the statutory assessment of pupils with special educational needs, issuing statements of SEN if appropriate and monitoring and reviewing the provision made in school for pupils with statements of SEN.
Please contact
01926 742160
