Provision and Resources for SEN
Early Years - Age 3-4 years
Mainstream nurseries/Pre-schools/Playgroups.
Some children experiencing SEN will be able to attend their local early years settings without any need for assessment or additional provision. For those with more severe needs the local authority can make the following provision:-
1. Local early years settings with additional support. This could be additional resources, further training for staff, advice from the local authority personnel such as the Educational Psychologist, Teacher Adviser, advice from health personnel such as the Speech and Language Therapist or additional support from a linked worker.
- Local early years settings with specialist SEN provision. Settings are provided with additional funding and intensive professional support from the local authority.
- Specialist nurseries attached to special schools, e.g. Cedar School and Rosewood School.
Referral Process
Referral will come initially from the Health Primary Care Trust. An assessment will be made by the Educational Psychology service and will be passed to the Special Educational Needs team for consideration of placement/provision. An assessment by the Teacher Advisory service may also be needed in some cases such as children with physical impairment, visual impairment or hearing impairment.
Primary/Secondary - Age 4-16 years
Most children will attend the local mainstream school even if they have attended specialist provision for early years. Some children will need resources/provision in addition to and different from that normally available in mainstream schools. The local authority has delegated funds to mainstream schools so that they are able to meet most special educational needs from their own resources. For those with more severe needs the local authority can make the following provision:-
1. Mainstream school with additional support over that available from delegated funding. This would normally be for children with low incidence needs where this is the main and significant area of need i.e. hearing iImpairment, visually impairment, physical impairment, autism, severe learning difficulties and language impairment.
- Mainstream school with specialist provision. Schools are resourced with additional funding and intensive professional support.
3. Special schools.
- Special schools with additional support.
- Independent special schools.
Referral Process
Provision of resources over that normally available within school is usually decided by the local authority following a statutory assessment of special educational needs under the Education Act 1996. Requests for statutory assessment usually come from early years settings or schools following an initial educational psychology assessment. Requests for statutory assessment can also come from parents/carers.
Outreach Services
Special schools in Southampton have developed Outreach Services so that their experience and knowledge can be shared with mainstream early years settings and schools. These services provide advice and support for children with learning difficulties, physical difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties and social communication difficulties. Referrals will come from your child’s school.
Current plans
Ridgeway House closed in March 2007. Secondary aged children now attend Great Oaks School (previously known as Red Lodge). Primary aged children attend Springwell school (previously known as Netley Court) which will move to its new site in Thornhill in September 2007.
What further help/information is available?
Special Educational Needs Service
Information is available for parents on the following subjects:-
- Autism
- Deafness and hearing loss
- Specific learning difficulties
- Communication and language difficulties
- SEN resources in Southampton
- Information on statutory assessment
- Guide for parents visiting schools
For further information on SEN resources in Southampton and on Statutory Assessment Procedures please contact:-
| | Special Educational Needs TeamSouthampton City Council
5th Floor, Frobisher House, Nelson Gate Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1BZ |
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| 023 8083 3270 | |||
| a.smith@southampton.gov.uk | |||
| : | www.southampton.gov.uk | ||
In Hampshire contact:-
| | Special Educational Needs ServiceHampshire County Council Children’s Services,
County Office, The Castle, Winchester, |
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| 01962 846452 | |||
