Welcome
As you begin to plan your diaries for this academic year, please remember to come along to the SEND network meetings to hear important updates from Devon services and meet with colleagues from other settings. During the Autumn term meetings we will be seeking your input into developing our Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision offer for Devon schools so do come along to have your say. SEND network meeting | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
A new, updated version of the SEND Profile Tool is in the process of being sent to all primary schools, along with guidance around how to complete and use this document. It will be sent via admin, head teachers and SENCos, where we have current email addresses. We will be discussing this tool further at the SEND network meetings so do come along to find out more. If you are a primary school and have not received your SEND profile tool by half term, please do get in touch.
This term, we are also piloting a specific Secondary SEND forum. This will be an opportunity for Devon secondary schools to come together, in person, to discuss common themes and concerns related to supporting students with SEND and, more importantly, share ideas, solutions and good practice with each other. More information can be found here Secondary SEND forum | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
- Review transitions. Highlight successes and areas for development.
- Quality assurance – check QFT and interventions (mid-point checks).
- Plan review programme and information for statutory processes
- Support CPD for Governors to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and duties surrounding pupils with SEND.
- Review policy and SEND information report.
- Review provision map in light of interventions running/required.
- Plan for Parent/carer events.
SEN information report (SIR)
Publishing a ‘SEN information report’ on your website is a statutory requirement for all maintained schools including nursery schools, and academies must publish information about the implementation of their SEN policy (SEND Code of Practice 2015, para. 6.79). The Code states that this information should be updated annually, with any in-year changes updated as soon as possible.
Nasen have created a useful editable checklist, which you can download below, to help you check that your SEN information report is compliant with statutory requirements, and that it is useful and accessible for parents and young people. This resource will help you to meet statutory requirements and use person-centred practice (it is statutory to publish an SEN information report on a school website; Ofsted often look at it before an inspection).
Not a member of Nasen yet? Nasen have an ongoing commitment to ensure expertise in SEND is available to every school and setting across the UK.
Membership is free to all UK individuals, to help ensure that all education practitioners are given the information and support required so that all children and young people can thrive.
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Tuesday 14 November , Live interactive webinar, 13.30 -15.00
Following feedback from the advisory teams and SENCos, we have updated and amended the RfA request form to include the gathering of more specific details around current needs and provision. This should support our triaging process and ensure the most effective support is given to schools.
Please use this new request form with immediate effect and discard and delete all old versions.
The form should be completed digitally and submitted in Microsoft word format (No hand written submissions please). These will help us to add information to further consultation records and reports more efficiently.
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Last month, Speech and Language UK published its latest report, Listening to Unheard Children which states that “teachers now estimate that 1.9 million children are behind with their talking and/or understanding of words - the highest number ever recorded”. Within the report, you can see the summary of their findings on p3, and read about their nine suggested solutions to transform the lives of these children and their families on p9.
If you are reviewing your interventions to support your pupils’ communication skills, you may wish to consider the Speech and Language UK’s evidence-based packages, which include Talk for Work, for students from years 9-11, and Talk Boost, aimed at primary school children.
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They have recorded a webinar about the benefits of using Talk Boost, to help you decide if it might be right for your school and children, and you can watch that here. The Communication and Interaction team offers practitioner training in how to run Talk for Work and some of the Talk Boost packages.
For further information, see our website. Speech and Language UK are still looking for a few more settings in the south west to join their latest evaluation project for Early Talk Boost (ETB), funded by the Education Endowment Foundation. Participating schools get a free ETB resource pack and training, in return for running the intervention and providing feedback. If you are interested in taking part, you can find out more here.
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As well as offering subscription services to help you create visual resources, Widgit produce a number of free resource packs throughout the school year. Have a look at their ‘Back to School’ package, aimed at helping to enhance your communication-friendly learning spaces. |
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Inclusive PE activity cards
Making PE inclusive and accessible, benefits everyone. This resource is designed to support teachers and school staff to provide a high-quality inclusive PE curriculum for all children and young people. Download the activity cards below
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More education strategies to support access to curriculum subjects for children and young people with visual impairments have been added to our web page, check the link below for the latest.
Devon launches additional mental health support package for secondary schools
Secondary schools in Devon are being encouraged to make use of a new mental health support service provided by Devon County Council. The fully funded Mental Health in Schools Support Package is for school staff who are working with children and young people who have complex needs or who are vulnerable, and where the school does not already have a Mental Health Support Team in place.
We want all children and young people in Devon to be able to thrive in school. We also recognise that mental health and wellbeing issues have risen, both locally and nationally, and these can sometimes make it difficult for someone to attend school. We have Mental Health Support Teams working with many schools within the authority’s area, along with our Devon Schools’ Wellbeing Partnership.
The Mental Health in Schools Support Package is designed for schools that do not already have mental health support teams working with them. It will support the wellbeing and resilience of staff and the students they are working with through regular confidential, case-specific, consultations as well as advice and support. Schools taking part will be allocated a locally-based, highly experienced advisory teacher who is a specialist in Social, Emotional and Mental Health support.
Life Support Productions publish a range of relationship and sex education resources. You, Your Body, Growing Up Relationships and Sex, is a comprehensive resource for children and young people with SEND.
Click here to view the range.
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