Screening for SEND
If a setting believes a child or young person requires SEND Support, there are services available in Sutton to assist them with the process of inputting support.
A child or young person is said to have special educational needs if they require provision that is additional to that available to others of a similar age.
If it is suspected that a child or young person has (or may have) special educational needs, then the parent/carer and child or young person will be invited by the school to meet and share their thoughts about their aspirations, strengths and areas of difficulty. Alternatively, parents/carers or a young person can approach the school.
Schools also collect observations of the child or young person over time and analyse the findings. Parents and carers may be invited to do the same in the home environment.
Health professionals in the local community such as those linked to GP surgeries, opticians, Children's Centres or other local Hubs can also screen for possible additional needs. This level of initial Health screening is open to all children and young people. Parents and carers are encouraged to share Health information with the educational setting so than a rounded picture of the child or young person's strengths and difficulties can be gathered and appropriate action taken by the setting.
SEND Interventions
SEND interventions (actions) are determined by a child or young person's individual needs.
Interventions may be delivered one to one or as part of a group with peers with similar needs. The interventions are not necessarily continuous. There may be breaks in which the impact is reviewed before another period of support.
Educational settings must publish information about the interventions they offer. Settings can cluster together to share knowledge, expertise and the delivery of certain SEN interventions. Specialist provision is usually given over a limited period, but may be revisited in stepped stages.
It is important that the actions taken are time-limited and address a specific outcome for the child or young person. 'Before' and 'After' measurements need to be recorded to check that the actions have been effective, and that the child is making progress.
For more information on support services available in Sutton, please see below:
Cognus Therapies
The team works with schools to identify and support pupils with speech, language and communication needs.
Read the Cognus Therapies latest newsletter (external link).
New Cognus Therapies newsletters will appear on the Headlines pages (external link).
View the Graduated Response for education based therapeutic support – Cognus (external link).
Autism Spectrum Disorder Service
The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) service offers advice and support to school staff and a range of professionals and parents/carers so that they can understand the needs of children and young people with ASD, from 2 years to 19 years, and develop specific strategies to support their progress.
View the Cognus Autism Support Map (external link)
Early Help Assessment Tool
In Sutton we use a Multi-Agency Early Help Assessment Tool (EHAT) and the LSCP Threshold document to help us assess the needs of children and young people. Using the EHAT enables us to understand a child or young person's needs and to develop effective Action Plans and packages of support in order to address those needs. It also helps us identify when children and young people require referrals for an EHCNA.
Early Years SEND Advisory Team
We support all Early Years and schools who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and are in receipt of the Free Entitlement Funding (FEF), including Maintained Schools (Nursery and Reception classes), Independent Schools (Nursery and Reception Classes), Pre-Schools, Playgroups, Day Nurseries and Childminders in developing and maintaining good inclusive practice, in line with the principles of the EYFS and the SEND Code of Practice.
Educational Psychology Service
The Educational Psychology Service (EPS) works with children, young people, families, schools and other practitioners to encourage the educational, social and emotional growth and development of children and young people.
Paving the Way
Paving the Way (PTW) is a Cognus Intervention and Identification Service, a multi-disciplinary team who provide support for children and young people with a range of difficulties that include; social communication, attention and concentration, attachment, and mental health issues in the broader sense.
PlayWise Learning CIC
An exciting, new, not-for-profit organisation that supports families with disabled children aged 0-8 years that are not meeting their developmental milestones.
Sensory Impairment Service
The Sensory Impairment Service (SIS) aims to provide flexible support to children and young people and their families from the earliest days of diagnosis through to leaving school, enabling each child or young person to achieve their full potential.
Sutton Information, Advice and Support Service (SIASS)
SIASS, formerly Sutton Parent Partnership Service, provides confidential, impartial, information, advice and support to parents/carers, children and young people on special educational needs and disability (SEND). A young person is an individual over compulsory school age (16) and under 25.
20/01/2022