Meeting your child's needs in school
Support in school
Every school has a special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) policy. This sets out how they will identify the special educational needs (SEN) of their pupils. A school's policy should be available on their website.
Once a child is identified as having SEN, support will be given in addition to the support given to all pupils.
All mainstream schools (not specialist) can provide support from their own resources. They can also ask for further resources from:
- other schools in their area or their trust
- local authority specialist services
- health services
- social care services.
If you have any worries about your child at school, you should talk to their teacher. You can also speak to the school's special education needs co-ordinator (SENCO) if you have any further concerns.
If your child has been identified as having additional needs, it will be because they are showing characteristics under the four main areas of need which are set out in the SEND code of practice:
- communication and interaction
- cognition and learning
- social, emotional and mental health difficulties
- sensory and physical needs.
If the school feels that your child has SEN, they should plan extra learning support. They should always talk to you about this support, which may include:
- special classroom materials and equipment
- observation throughout the day and keeping records
- support to overcome challenges by finding different ways to engage
- additional support in the classroom
- support with personal care such as eating and dressing.
The Derby Way Framework describes approaches Derby schools should take to deliver positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND, prior to considering a request for an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment. It outlines evidence-based strategies as part of a whole school graduated approach.