Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

Our school aims to meet the needs of each and every child, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), so that they may reach their full potential and enjoy their learning.

We strive to make Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School the best it can be, for our children, families and community, in order that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. The children in our  family deserve the greatest possible experiences we can provide, allowing and encouraging them to create special memories. The building blocks that we put in place are the start of a bright and exciting future, one of exploration and enjoyment.

Children with Special Educational Needs (SEND) are additionally supported by our highly motivated staff. 

Our school SENDCo (Special Education Needs and Disabilities Lead) is Stefanie O Halloran.  She can be contacted via the school office or by email stefanie.ohalloran@bracebridge.lincs.sch.uk

Mrs O Halloran works closely with the Lincolnshire Additional Needs Team and attends SENDCo briefings and network meetings for up to date information. 

The role of our SENCo

The SENDCo has the responsibility for overseeing and recording the provision in place for children with Special Educational Needs. They will monitor this intervention through careful updating and analysing of the school’s Provision Map. This will take place every term.

The Provision Map includes:

• Whole school map of needs;
• Outside agency involvement;
• Interventions within the school (Types of intervention, who is leading it and how often);
• Termly assessment data to track the effectiveness of the intervention programmes

What is SEND?

Special Educational Needs covers four main categories of need.  These include:

1. Communication & Language
2. Cognition & Learning
3. Social, Emotional and Mental Health
4. Physical/Sensory.

Whilst pupils will have a primary need identified from the list above, they may well have needs in other areas too.  A child’s SEND needs are met in a holistic way to ensure that all needs are being addressed, supported, and met.

Admission Arrangements

Parents and carers of pupils with SEND are invited to meet with the SENDCo prior to their child attending Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School. 

The child’s individual needs will be discussed and reports from outside agencies (if applicable) are shared to make sure that the school is as well informed as possible. Mrs O Halloran, along with the new class teacher can attend transition meetings with other school’s and nurseries to ensure that all information is passed on and that everyone is well informed on the individual needs of pupils. An individualised learning plan (ILP)  is then actioned to ensure that the child is supported in the best possible way. Discussions will also be held to inform Parents and carers about further options available, if required. 

This could be regarding Pupil Profiles, Health Care Plans, Behaviour Plans, Risk Assessments, Pastoral Support Plans or further referrals for outside agency support and advice.

Who is responsible for ensuring that pupils meet their full potential?

All staff at Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School support our work with SEND children. Your child’s class teacher holds the main responsibility to ensure that all pupils educational needs are being met.

Some staff, however, have specific duties:

• Mrs O Halloran is our Special Educational Needs & Disability Coordinator (SENDCO).  She works in school two days a week.

• Rev Andrew Jackson Parr is our Special Educational Needs (SEND) governor..

Your first point of contact should usually be the class teacher, but you are very welcome to make appointments with Mrs O Halloran or Mrs Wilson, Head teacher.

Mrs Rice in the school office, will arrange an appointment .

How do we know which children might need extra help?

We gather information in a variety of ways:

- Liaison with parents and settings before your child starts with us

- Liaison with any outside agencies supporting a child *

- Observations of learning and behaviour in class by the class teacher

- Termly reviews of attainment and progress

-Discussions between parents/guardians and the class teacher

- Health reports from medical agencies or other outside services *

- Assessments undertaken by the SENDCO

- Assessments undertaken from the Specialist Teaching team *

-Information taken from the child’s EHCP (if applicable)

*Parental consent will always be sought before any other agencies are referred to.  Parental engagement is key in order to ensure continued successful SEND provision

What experience and training do those who support my child have?

All staff at Bracebridge Infant and Nursery School  are available and qualified to support all of the children. All staff have received training in the following areas;

• Team Teach – behavioural management and support;
• Safeguarding – safety of children;
• First Aid – 10 members of staff are at Paediatric level and all others at Basic First Aid level;

In addition to the above individual members of staff have received further training to meet the needs of their role in supporting the children in school. This has included;

• ELKLAN training;
• Autism Awareness;
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant; 
• National SENDCo Award; 
• Coaching and Mentoring; 
• Behaviour Management; 
• Child Protection; 
• NELI Language Project

Who else may be involved in supporting my child?

If as a school and staff we feel additional support is required to help meet the needs of your child we work closely with the following outside agencies. This involvement would only take place with your consent.

These include:

• Educational Psychologist – supports behaviour, learning, social and emotional needs. 
•  Includes classroom observations, meeting with parents and offering strategies to    support class teachers and staff;
• Speech and Language therapist – supports the process of learning or producing sounds and words. Includes assessments and reviews on a 1:1 basis, meetings with parents and provides a programme of support for home and school;
• Specialist Teaching Team - assesses the needs and progress of children with SEN, through completing assessments on a 1:1 basis. Supports staff and parents with targets and strategies;
• The Working Together Team - supports children who find the classroom environment a challenge with a focus on social communication difficulties;

• Paediatrician – assesses children with medical needs where there are significant concerns regarding meeting those needs in school;
• Physiotherapist – for gross motor skills support and development advice. Referral to this service generally comes via the family GP or Community Paediatrician; 
• Doctor – for any general medical concerns that may be affecting the child as a whole

This SEND information report is based on the statutory Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice and the following legislation:

• Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, which sets out the schools responsibilities for pupils with SEN and disabilities;
• The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, which sets out schools responsibilities for education, health and care (EHC) plans, SEN co-ordinators (SENCo's) and the SEN information report