SEN Policy

Supporting children with special educational needs

Areas of need and support

§ Communication and interaction

§ Cognition and learning

§ Social emotional and mental health

§ Sensory and/or physical needs

Policy statement

At St Andrews we provide an environment in which all children with special educational needs (SEN) are supported to reach their full potential.

§ We have regard for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2014).

§ We have in place a clear approach for identifying, responding to, and meeting children’s SEN[1].

§ We support and involve parents (and where relevant children), actively listening to, and acting on their wishes and concerns.

§ [We/I] work in partnership with the local authority and other external agencies to ensure the best outcomes for children with SEN and their families.

§ We regularly monitor and review our policy, practice and provision and, if necessary, make adjustments.

Procedures

§ We designate a member of staff to be the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) and give her name to parents. Our SENCO is: NICOLA CHAMBERS

§ The SENCO works closely with our manager and other colleagues and has responsibility for the day-to-day operation of our Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs Policy and for co-ordinating provision for children with SEN.

§ We ensure that the provision for children with SEN is the responsibility of all members of the setting.

§ We ensure that our inclusive admissions practice ensures equality of access and opportunity.

§ We provide a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum for all children.

§ We apply SEN support to ensure early identification of children with SEN.

§ We use Best Practice Guidance at universal level, and targeted support, personalised/individual level where extra support is needed

§ We refer to Inclusion Development Programs for guidance, support and strategies

§ We use the graduated approach system (assess, plan, do and review) applied in increasing detail and frequency to ensure that children progress.

§ We complete a targeted support plan with the parents involvement.

§ We receive support from the Equality and Inclusion Team when requested

We ensure that parents are involved at all stages of the assessment, planning, provision and review of their children's special education including all decision making processes

§ We, where appropriate, take into account children’s views and wishes in decisions being made about them, relevant to their level understanding.

§ We provide parents with information on local sources of support and advice e.g. Local Offer, Information, Advice and Support Service.

§ We liaise and work with other external agencies to help improve outcomes for children with SEN.

§ We have systems in place for referring children for further assessment e.g. Common Assessment Framework/Early Help Assessment and Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessment.

§ We can complete Local Inclusion Forum Team (LIFT) referrals with parents and attend LIFT meetings to request Specialist Teaching and Learning Service (STLS) or SCARF (funding for extra support)

§ We provide resources (human and financial) to implement our Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs Policy.

§ We ensure that all our staff are aware of our Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs Policy and the procedures for identifying, assessing and making provision for children with SEN. We provide in-service training for parents, practitioners and volunteers.

§ We raise awareness of our special education provision via our website and or promotional materials.

§ We ensure the effectiveness of our special educational needs provision by collecting information from a range of sources e.g. action plan reviews, [staff and management meetings,] parental and external agency's views, inspections and complaints. This information is collated, evaluated and reviewed annually.

§ We provide a complaints procedure.

§ We monitor and review our policy annually.

Further guidance

§ Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (DfE 2014)

§ Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2015)

§ Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (DfE & DoH 2014)

This policy was adopted by

St Andrews Playgroup

On

Date to be reviewed

Signed on behalf of the provider


Name of signatory


Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner)


Useful Pre-school Learning Alliance publications

§ Guide to the Equality Act and Good Practice (2010)

§ SEND Code of Practice for the Early Years (2014)



[1] This includes disabled children with special educational needs