Pre-school children with special educational needs

The Support Service for Pre-school Children with Special Educational Needs (SSPSCSEN) works with children aged 0 to five who have additional support needs in more than one area of development.

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The SSPSCSEN is made up of specialist teachers and home visitors. All members of the team have experience in working with children who need extra help and encouragement to learn.

We are knowledgeable about early childhood development and we are familiar with the Birth to Three Framework for children aged 0 to three and with the Foundation Stage Curriculum for children aged three to five years.

When we are working with parents we: 

• value their expertise as parents and recognise that they know their child better than anyone else does.
• jointly assess their child's progress and help plan suitable activities to help the child learn. Each child is an individual and we want to find teaching approaches and strategies that suit each child
• encourage children to learn using play activities that are interesting and fun
• visit at regular, agreed times
• work closely with any other professionals that see the child
• provide parents with information about the Code of Practice for Children with Special Educational Needs.   

When we are working with settings we: 

• work with staff as part of the "team around the child" to ensure that the child is successfully included in the setting.
• support the production and implementation of Individual Education Plans that will enable the child to make progress.
• support the setting by offering advice on how to differentiate the curriculum to meet the complex learning needs of the child.
• suggest and model specific teaching strategies for staff to use with the child.
• visit at regular agreed times
• liaise with the Area SENCO (Early Years Development Officer).
• work closely with any other professionals involved.   

When we are working with other professionals we: 

• value the involvement and expertise of other professionals working with the children
• work collaboratively with them as part of the "team around the child" in the best interests of the child and family.
• work to support the production and implementation of Individual Education Plans that will enable the child to make progress.
• with parental consent, share the information we have on the child.
• attend meetings and provide verbal and written reports on the child's progress, wherever possible.
• make joint visits with other professionals in order to co-ordinate service delivery for families.   

Children aged 0 to three  

We work within the Birth to Three Matters Framework. This is a recent initiative that aims to
"provide support, information, guidance and challenge for all those with responsibility for the care and education of babies and children from birth to three years". (Birth to Three Matters Framework 2003).

We can offer the "Support at Home" service or the "First Steps at Home" service for children in this age group.  

The "Support at Home" service

Offers regular visits from a Specialist Teacher who will offer advice and support on the child's learning.

Parents decide with the teacher what level of involvement (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) best fits in with their other commitments. 

The "First Steps at Home"service

Offers structured teaching on a weekly or fortnightly basis, with an emphasis on helping parents become more effective educators of their child. Parents are encouraged to carry out regular teaching activities with their child.

The service uses the Portage model and is registered with the National Portage Association.

The Portage teaching model has been used in this country for more than 25 years. It has been shown to be an effective way of teaching very young children and of supporting parents. Feedback from parents shows that parents value the regular contact with their Home Visitor and the joint planning of activities.

This service is offered in collaboration with the Derbyshire Early Years and Childcare Partnership.

Children aged three to five 

We work towards the Early Learning Goals of the Foundation Curriculum.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum for children aged three to five underpins all future learning.

It supports us in planning "activities and experiences that help children make progress in their development and learning." (Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage 2000). We can offer the "Moving On" service to children in this age group.

The "Moving On" service

We work with parents and, if appropriate, with the child's nursery or pre-school to support the child's development. The frequency of contact is agreed with parents. 

Whatever the child's age, we may be able to offer group work. Pre-school teachers work in partnership with other professionals.

Where opportunities arise, children may be included in group activities with a teacher in a multi-professional setting. Attendance at a group can be combined with visits to the home and/or setting to a maximum of one contact per week. 

Children's progress and the frequency of visits is reviewed at least every six months. Parents receive a written report on their child's progress at each review. With their consent, the report is shared with other professionals working with the child. 

Referrals to the service  

We accept referrals from parents or from anyone else working with the child who has parental consent for the referral. All referrals are discussed at the county's Early Years Special Educational Needs Panel. This is a multiagency group which meets fortnightly to consider referrals to the LEA.

When we become involved with a child, he or she is also allocated to an Educational Psychologist who will work with the teacher or Home Visitor.