Special Needs and Inclusion

Mrs Deakin is our Inclusion Manager (and Special Needs Co-ordinator) for all main school pupils; Miss Woodward manages inclusion and SEND for Early Years. During Mrs Deakin's maternity leave from 1st Oct 2018, Miss Woodward will be the Inclusion and SEND lead for the whole school.

We want ALL pupils at Riverside to feel happy and settled and make the very best progress possible.

For many pupils, this is about good classroom differentiation.

For some, they require carefully planned and individualised provision, which may include small group interventions and at times one-to-one coaching and support.

Helping to make this happen is Mrs Deakin's responsibility.

Children who have a Special Educational Need

There are 4 areas of need according to the 2014 Code of Practice:

• Cognition and Learning
• Social, Mental and Emotional  health
• Communication and Interaction
• Sensory and/or Physical Needs 

Children who have a Special Educational needs may present as having one or more of the above areas of need as outlined by the Code of Practice.

SEND_Code_of_Practice.pdf

Children are assessed regularly to ensure that they are making the expected progress. Some children may need extra help and support, the class teacher is usually the first person to notice that the child needs this extra help. If this is the case then they will ask for a meeting with Mrs Deakin to discuss strategies. If these strategies are not working and the child is becoming significantly behind their peers in any area then a discussion with parents/carers about the possibility of putting the child on the SEN register will take place. 

Once a discussion has taken place, a final decision will be made by parents/carers, the class teacher and Mrs Deakin regarding the next appropriate steps.

Provision and resources

Lessons are differentiated for all learners, including those with SEND, in order for them to access the learning at their level and make progress. Your child will also receive an Individual Provision Map.  The school has access to a wide range of professionals and outside agencies that we can contact for further support and advice. If we feel that outside agency input would benefit your child then we will have a meeting in school to discuss this with you. 

Mrs Deakin is able to facilitate a lot of extra contacts to help your child:

1. Healthy Child Team (previously School nurse)
2. Health Visitors
3. Speech and language therapists
4. Educational Psychologists
5. Specialist advice and support from 'outreach services
   1. Social, Emotional and Mental health support
   2. Communication and Interaction difficulties
   3. Physical and personal care support
   4. Specialist teachers for hearing and visually impaired children
   5. Specific learning difficulties including dyslexia support

Individual provision maps (IPMs)

If your child has specific SEND provision, you will receive an Individual Provision Map.   This states the targets we will be working on with your child over the next term.  It also outlines the provision they receive in school to help them make progress. 

We require parents/carers to sign and return the IPM to their child's class teacher. It will then be copied and returned back to you so we both have a copy.  If you are unsure of what something means within the IPM please speak to your child's class teacher, they will be more than happy to go through the IPM with you. 

If you have any queries about this or do not receive an IPM, please contact your child's class teacher or Mrs Deakin, Inclusion Manager

What is an Individual Provision Map?

Click here for FAQ about Individual Provision Maps

Our SEND information report and policy:

SEN_information_report_18-19

SEN_policy_Sept_2018

STAR_MAT_-_Special_Educational_Needs_and_Disabilities_Policy_Oct_2018

Local Offer

North Yorkshire County Council have published their local offer for children and families from 0-25. This outlines what is available for children and young people with SEND in our Local Authority.

All schools are required to provide information to parents on how to seek additional support beyond that which is ‘normally available’ for their child.

The main aim of the local offer is to enable families to see readily the support they can expect locally without having to struggle to find the information. If there is any information that you would like to know that is not on the website then please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Deakin. 

The North Yorkshire local offer can be found at:

http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/23542/SEND---local-offer

Read more about Equalities and Accessibility HERE