Staff work collaboratively with settings and in partnership with parents:
We have developed standards linked to our care standards 'Putting People First' which support our work with all our partners.
Criteria for involvement
The acceptance of a referral to the team is based on the following criteria:
- children and young people with a physical impairment such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
- children and young people with a medical condition (for example epilepsy or severe asthma) where this condition affects their ability to access the curriculum or environment
- all referrals must be in the age range 0 to 16 years of age or up to 19 if the young person attends a school post 16 provision (referrals for children 0 to 5 must be made via the Early Years Special Educational Needs Panel)
Referrals
A referral may be made by any person involved with the child or young person providing they have obtained parental permission.
Referrals are discussed by the full teaching team at monthly referral moderation meetings. Any child who is accepted onto the support service for physical impairment’s caseload will receive an assessment within 4 working weeks from that meeting.
The work of the service
After assessment the need for ongoing support is determined by the child’s ability in the following areas:
- access to the curriculum
- management of the physical impairment or medical need
- safe mobility
- social relationships
The time allocated to the support of individual children is governed by their personal situation and varies according to need.
Monitoring and review procedures
The service uses a range of methods to monitor and review its performance.
Annual evaluations are undertaken with service users and the results are used to inform service development. At operational level two key documents are the service level agreement (SLA) negotiated with schools and individual education plans (IEP) which track service intervention contributing to pupil progress.
Working with other professionals
The service regards itself as part of the team surrounding each child or young person it supports and values the involvement and expertise of other professionals.
Joint assessments, visits and planning meetings are held with appropriate professionals from health, education and social services.
Collaborative working occurs with a wide range of professionals:
- partner LA support services for special educational needs
- officers and administrative personnel within the SEN section at County Hall
- development officers (school adaptations)
- county architects department
- community paediatric health professionals - notably occupational therapists and physiotherapists
We hope that you'll be pleased with the service the team provides.
If you do have any concerns, these should be addressed to Phil Sutcliffe, head of service:
email: philip.sutcliffe@derbyshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01629 532488
Sensory and Physical Support Service - Visual Impairment
SEN Support Services
Grange Street
Alfreton
DE55 7JA