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How are children's needs identified?
We use the graduated approach to meet the needs of all our children and young people.
Universal support
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All children access quality first teaching and have ongoing assessment and tracking by their class teacher. If they show less than expected progress despite quality teaching they are discussed at pupil progress meetings
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Concerns could also be raised by the parent/carer to the class teacher
Targeted Support
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Class teacher ensures quality first teaching and reasonable adjustments are put in place with adaptations to planning to support an identified need.
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The class teacher may complete an initial concern plan.
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Parents/carers are made aware of any support in place for the pupil during routine parents’ evening/informal meetings.
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Children may be included in an intervention to support their identified need.
Specialist Support
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If there is not the expected progress with adaptations and adjustments, the class teacher will liaise with the school SENDCo and a learning support plan will be completed.
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Children may be added to the SEND register in consultation with parents
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Additional assessment may be carried out by the SENDCo if needed.
Highly specialist support
Where it has been identified that despite best endeavours, a child is consistently not making progress, and the gap between them and their peers is very significant, the child or young person may be considered to have needs that are complex and long-term.
At this stage, the child will typically have a Learning Support Plan in place and will be likely to have had several cycles of the ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’ cycle.
For a small number of children, in consultation with parents, school may seek advice from outside agencies such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists or specialised local authority services.
If the need is persistent and the lack of progress is significant, in a small number of cases, the SENDCo may discuss the possibility of an application to the local authority for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA).
If agreed, a needs assessment by the Local Education Authority may lead to an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). This is a legal document which outlines the provision a child or young person needs in order to achieve their desired outcomes and aspirations. It should be noted that there is a considerable reduction in the numbers of EHCPs being issued by local authorities nationally, and except for profound medical needs, EHCPs do not fund 1:1 support.