Support service for special educational needs
The support service for special educational needs delivers direct teaching to pupils of primary school age who have statements of special educational needs (SEN).
Care standards
We have developed 12 care standards, linked to the education service care standards 'Putting People First', which support our work with all our partners.
Size, organisation and referral routes
The service is divided into seven area teams. Each team has an area manager, a teacher with a designated specialism in a specific area of special educational needs, and a teacher with management responsibilities. The support service has 69 full time equivalent teachers.
Six of the seven teams are linked to area special schools although not necessarily located there.
Pupils with statements of special educational needs are referred to the service through the special educational needs administration section at County Hall.
1. Provision for children with statements
We work with schools parents and other professionals to meet the needs of pupils with statements of special educational needs. This work is defined by the statement of special educational needs and in conjunction with this work we attend planning and review meetings.
2. Contribution to council initiatives to increase schools capacity to meet special educational needs
The service provides training focused on meeting the needs of pupils with SEN within mainstream schools through our course and conference programme and through a series of development opportunities at each SSSEN base. Schools are contacted locally regarding events in their area. We no longer provide direct support to pupils at School Action / School Action Plus.
3. Monitoring and review
We have a clear development plan linked to the children and young people's plan. It works to performance targets linked to the Derbyshire County Council target of improving services for disabled children and young people.
Regular performance reports are provided by the Education Improvement Service and submitted to the relevant assistant director and the head of special educational needs. Evaluation is undertaken with schools, parents, pupils and other agencies on an annual basis.
Links to other agencies
The service works closely with all education services. It is represented on Special Needs Action Panel (SNAP), Special Educational Needs management group and is involved in a number of strategic projects. The service provides the specialist professional advice for county wide learning developments such as the Derbyshire File for Language Friendly Schools and contributes to Derbyshire's course and conference programme.
Related documents
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