Julie Whitington - Special Needs Advisory Service

08/09/2024

This month, teachers and teaching assistants go to the homes of the incoming Early Years pupils, as part of the transition process. Many children will already have been seen in Nursery last July. A recent visit to a home this week brought home to me, once again, the reality of what "Disadvantaged" means. It is so important that we recognise the huge differences that exist between households, and that schools bring every resource available to support and encourage every child in their learning journey.

16/08/2024

So SENDCOs are on summer break - but beware! The Local Authority will continue to send you EHCP "consultations" all through the summer break and you, as SENDCO, will have a 14-day window to respond. If you fail to do this, and the authority cannot place the child in a suitable specialist placement (as requested by the parent) your school may become the allocated placement by default

With the shortage of placements in specialist schools/bases, it is time for the whole approach towards SEND to be reviewed.
How wonderful if all mainstream schools were funded so SEND children with complex needs could have access to a base (a physical purpose-built base with sensory rooms, secure play area, even (dare I!?) access to a small warm swimming pool) specialised play and learning equipment , and a small number of fully trained staff... that way, local parents would not have to look elsewhere for their child but could have access to the same local school as their child's sibling, and could drop off and collect both children at the same time.

The LEA would then not have to pay thousands to taxi children miles away, or pay for access to independent specialist schools, both a huge burden on the tax payer. Training for staff could be provided by the LEA.

03/04/2024

It is a joy to be able to help a child learn to read. Nothing better than to know they can "take off" by themselves, on the path to reading. You know that they will have the tools for a lifetime of learning and pleasure, exploring books for themselves and building up their self-esteem and independence. Children have individual learning styles - some take to reading effortlessly, via the phonics approach current in primary schools, others need a more individualised approach, using visual recognition, games or sensory methods.

With adults - how much more rewarding? I have taught adults who were literate in another language, learn to transfer those skills into English. Sadly, some people who have missed out on early opportunities, remain illiterate, throughout their adult life. It is hard to imagine the shame of not being able to read the simplest of texts, to decode labels, signs or to help with their children's homework. Often they keep this as secret as possible.

If you would like some guidance as to how to support your child with their reading, please contact me at [email protected] See my webpage: askasendco.co.uk.

01/04/2024

This summer term is very busy for SENDCOs as Y6 children transition to secondary school, and Nurseries contact schools with information about the children due to start in the September term.

Transition is key for children with SEND. It is best practice for SENDCOs at both schools to connect, to discuss the needs of individual students, and clarify any transition "days" that the new school offers. At the end of July, all paperwork and electronic files must be ready to send over as soon as the Y6 child is confirmed to be "on roll" in the new placement.

Not all Nurseries are up to speed with what needs to be passed on to the intaking Primary school. With every cohort there are some surprises - best practice for Early Years is a home visit in September for every incoming child, and meetings with staff in July at the Nursery placement, for children with SEND.

With SATS, Sports days, Y6 trips, end of Y6 celebrations, and transition arrangements you can be sure the Summer term will pass very quickly!

22/03/2024

I am an experienced SENDCO working in the Primary sector but with experience in Secondary as well. If you are worried about your child's progress and would like some friendly advice, contact me - [email protected].

Here is a link to a recent article I wrote on Emotionally-Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

The UK's leading magazine for special educational needs.

10/03/2024

Sometimes it is hard to know who to turn to, especially if your child is not in any mainstream placement, or if the SENDCO in your child’s school is, for whatever reason, unable to help.

In this situation, SENDIAS can be an invaluable support and source of advice to parents.

Local Authority websites will have links to this service – for example the Surrey link is:
https://www.sendadvicesurrey.org.uk

and the West Sussex link is:
https://westsussexsendias.org

In the best scenario, the SENDIAS person who takes up the case will liaise with the school SENDCo, and the local authority.

For more information as to what advice and support is available nationwide, go to:
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/about-us-0/networks/information-advice-and-support-programme/how-find-and-access-support

ABOUT US Our service is free, impartial and confidential. Find out more about what we do. YOUNG PEOPLE Information specifically written for and with children and young people. RESOURCES Factsheets, guides, videos and webinars to help you navigate the SEND system. EVENTS Training we deliver and event...

10/03/2024

Parents with children with SEND may be faced with a question – what’s the best way forward for my child and who do I turn to?

Each local authority has their own SEND management “ladder” providing contacts designated above the school’s caseworker.

There are many branches to healthcare services for children in school – Paediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Mental Health Services, School Nurses, Visual and Hearing Impairment support – what does your child need?

If you would like some help in navigating the pathways to follow, please contact me, I am here to support.

04/03/2024

Does My Child Need an EHCP?

Many parents wonder if their child needs an EHCP for school support, but only a small percentage actually do.

The SEND Code of Practice outlines what schools must provide, mostly falling under "SEND Support." In the UK, only 4.3% of pupils have an EHC plan, while 13.0% receive SEN support. EHCPs are typically for specialist provision or costly mainstream support.

It's increasingly hard for needy children to find suitable specialist placements. Mainstream schools offer various forms of support like adaptive teaching, visual timetables, and speech therapy. Each school has its interventions listed in an ILP/IEP, shared with parents.

For advice on your child, contact me at [email protected]