Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person's ability to learn. They can affect their:

• behaviour or ability to socialise
• ability to understand things
• physical ability
• concentration levels
• reading and writing

These difficulties cause barriers to the child’s learning. For some children this may be a temporary difficulty, while others may have a long term need for special help.

If you are at all concerned about your child’ needs their Key Worker will be more than happy to discuss this with you at a mutually convenient time.

You can also talk to Miss Bateson who is the co-ordinator for Special Educational Needs and Disability in school (SENCO) and she is supported by Mrs Clucas (Independent SEND Support).

Please ring school on 01254 263312 or 07858 640781 to make an appointment or have a telephone conversation with one of the staff members regarding your child. If we are unavailable due to our classroom commitments we will ring you back at the earliest opportunity.

Our role is to support children and parents to ensure the needs of your child are being met.

If you would like any independent support or advice about any aspect of your child’s Special Educational Needs please contact Special Educational Needs Information, Advice and Support Support Service (SENDIASS):

Blackburn with Darwen SENDIASS - IASS (iassnetwork.org.uk)

If your child is identified with a special need they will be placed on our school’s SEN register at SEN SUPPORT level of provision.

Further guidance on the code from the Department of Education can be found at:

SEND: guide for parents and carers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We will work in close partnership with you as the parent or carer to assess your child to identify their strengths, needs, and the extra help they require. Your child will be set targets each half term so that their progress can be monitored closely. These targets will be discussed and reviewed with you at parents meetings or TAF meetings/ SEN reviews throughout the year. 

Who helps my child with their SEND?

• Class teacher
• Key Worker
• Teaching Assistants working within the classroom
• SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) 
• Professionals involved from outside of school (e.g. Speech Therapist, Advisory Teacher, Educational Psychologist, Physiotherapist etc.)
• Some pupils receive support from the Local Authority who provide a Special Support Assistant (SSA) in exceptional circumstances.

Experts from outside agencies may be asked to assess your child’s needs if they continue to have difficulties or if further assessment is required. The SENCo may ask for your permission to seek additional advice from outside specialists such as health professionals, specialist teachers or educational psychologists who would:

• Carry out further assessment of your child’s needs

• Provide advice to schools on how to best support your child

• Suggest resources that would help your child make progress

Parents are wherever possible offered the opportunity to meet with these professionals during TAF Meetings/SEN reviews to discuss the results of their assessment.

What is an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?

If your child’s needs are very complex the Advisory Teacher involved may ask the local authority, in collaboration with you as the parent or carer, to carry out an education, health and care needs assessment. Parent's can also ask the local authority to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC Plan.

An EHC Plan is only appropriate for a very small number of pupils and the SENCo and Blackburn with Darwen SENDIASS - IASS will be able to guide you through the process should this be necessary.

This assessment could lead to your child getting an Education, Health and Care (EHCP) Plan. This EHC Plan brings all of your child’s education, health and social care needs into one legal document.

For more information please see link below:

• SEND Guide for Parents and Carers

SENDIASS
Find out what independent help and support is available