SEND Code of Practice
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Elmfield School has two SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators) available to support you and your child.
For pupils in the Early Years – Year 6 Contact Claire Spencer (at Elmfield Early Years and Primary)
For pupils in Year 7 – Year 11 Contact Mr Michael Dennington (at Elmfield Secondary)
To contact them please ring the school office on 0117 9030366, leave a message and they will get back to you or email: claire.spencer@elmfieldschool.co.uk or michael.dennington@elmfieldschool.co.uk
New SEN Code of Practice (2014)
(please click on green writing to follow links)
In January 2015 the new updated SEND Code of Practice came into effect which had a significant impact on the way children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities are supported in education. What was known as a ‘statutory assessment’ is now called an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. Statements of SEN replaced by Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans during a three year period (2015-2018).
There is a government guide provided for parents and carers. Edward Timpson from the Department for Education wrote a letter to parents and carers explaining the new reforms.
The NDCS has created a video on local offers for deaf young people and their families and also a number of factsheets for parents that are very helpful and may answer any questions that you may have.
Special educational needs reform – England: Frequently Asked Questions
Local Offers and Special Educational Needs (SEN).
They have a SEN website where the factsheets can be downloaded.
Bristol Supportive Parents are a good source of information. They have set up some training about the new Code of Practice (for details follow the link to their website).
It is a requirement of the SEND Code of Practice that Local Authorities provide a 'Local Offer'. The Bristol Local Offer ‘Findability’ provides information on what services children, young people and their families can expect from a range of local agencies, including education, health and social care. The purpose of this Local Offer is to support parents in understanding the provisions that are available in Bristol for children with SEND and thus providing parents with greater understanding and control over the support that right for your child.
Elmfield School has a SEND Information Report. This has a detailed list of questions and answers about how we support children with SEND at Elmfield School.
We have also created a diagram showing how we are implementing the new SEN Graduated Response approach to supporting children with SEND at our Primary Department, and Secondary department.
The school has an SEN Policy in light of the new Code of Practice; please click here to read this policy.
Annual Reviews and Conversion/Transfer Reviews.
During the period 2015-18 all Statements of SEN converted to EHC Plans.
EHC Plans must be reviewed within 12 months of it being produced, and then every 12 months until they leave school. An emergency review can be arranged at other times if you think it is necessary.
Information about the Annual Review Process can be found here.
If you would like any further information or support and advice, please contact one of the school SENCOs.