Articles (427)
Parent Carers Assessment
Parent carers of disabled children under 18 years now have a stand alone right to assessments and services under the Children and Families Act 2014. This is called a parent carers needs assessment. This assessment can be combined with one for a disabled child and…Diagnostic Assessment
If your child’s needs are not clear a diagnostic assessment may be required. This is carried out by a group of professionals who are skilled in identifying a range of childhood disabilities. These may include learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), speech and language delay/specific language…Supported Assessment Questionnaire
When looking at your needs the social worker will look with you at the whole range of support available, including informal networks such as friends and family and what is generally available in the local community for all children. Where an assessment indicates that there…Continuum of Help and Support Threshold Document
This Continuum of Help and Support Threshold Document provides a framework for professionals who are working with children, young people and families in Islington; it aims to help identify when a child may need additional support to achieve their full potential. It introduces a continuum…What is safeguarding?
The Children Act 2004 states that safeguarding children is about: Protecting children from maltreatment, abuse and neglect Minimising risks of harm to children Preventing impairment of children’s health or development Addressing children’s needs at an early stage rather than when serious problems have developed Ensuring…Joint Commissioning
Local Authorities and their health partners are required under the Children and Families Act 2014 to commission services jointly for children and young people with SEND, both those with and without EHC plan These arrangements could involve joint funding agreements or pooled budgets The joint…Schools Accessibility Strategy and Accessibility Plans
Duty of schools The Equality Act 2010 and related Equality Duty 2011 reiterate the duty on schools as laid out in the previous Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to produce an Accessibility Plan. The accompanying guidance for schools confirms that schools continue to have a duty…Team Around the Child
A Team Around the Child (TAC) is a multi-disciplinary team of practitioners established on a case-by-case basis to support a child, young person or family. TACs support good professional practice in joined-up working, information sharing and early intervention. The model involves: A joined-up assessment, usually…Measuring progress for children with SEND
The progress of all groups of children has been a prominent issue for all schools since the introduction of the 2012 Ofsted inspection framework. Parents also want to see evidence of progress. The issue of showing progress is particularly challenging for children with special educational…Preparing for adulthood EHC Plan reviews
All EHC Reviews taking place from Year 9 and onwards must include a focus on preparing for adulthood, including employment, independent living and participation in society. This transition planning must be built into the EHC plan and where relevant should include effective planning for young…Review of Education, Health and Care Plans
Schools and settings are required to meet with parents at least three times a year when their child is receiving SEND support and are responsible for setting up these meetings.What does an Educational Psychologist do?
Educational Psychologists work with children and young people between the ages of 0 and 25 years who are residents of Islington or who attend Islington schools. They work in a range of educational settings including children’s centres, early years’ settings, mainstream primary and secondary schools,…Supporting children with SEN to maintain a healthy weight
'Health risks and the threat of obesity are huge concerns for families of children with disabilities and special needs. The issue goes beyond food and portion control for these families. It’s a balancing act: working with behaviors and aversions, medications and mobility challenges while exploring…Supporting pupils with medical conditions
The Children and Families Act 2014 (Section 100) placed a new statutory requirement on schools to make arrangements for supporting children with medical conditions, supported by related guidance Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions.School Attendance and SEND
Despite progress in recent years, both primary and secondary phases in Islington currently perform poorly in terms of school attendance in comparison with statistical neighbours. Children with SEND have higher patterns of non‐attendance; our aim is at least 96% attendance for all children. In 2016‐17,…Funding for children with SEND
Funding for Islington Mainstream Schools Funding for all schools includes money that they should use to support children with additional needs Funding for SEND Pupils Funding for children and young people comes under three main headings (or 'elements')Who is eligible for an Education, Health and Care Assessment?
Statutory Assessment for an Education, Health and Care Plan is intended only for those children and young people with the most severe and complex SEND This is defined locally as a child or young person whose needs cannot be met from the resources normally available…Children with Complex Needs
When a child has exceptional need for education, health and social care support that cannot be met from resources, assessments or interventions normally available on their education setting, they will need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Where a child’s health or care needs…Person Centred Planning
Person Centred Planning discovers and acts on what is important to a person. It is a process for continual listening and learning, focussing on what is important to someone now and in the future, and acting on this in alliance with their family and their…