Banks Lane Infant and Nursery School - SEND (SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS & DISABILITY) AND INCLUSION
Our children are unique individuals with their own particular strengths and needs. We follow the aspirations of the Stockport Entitlement Framework in that the needs of all learners are identified early and any required adjustments, adaptations, intervention or support are provided at the earliest opportunity. We are an ‘enabling’ school and work with parents and carers to ensure that children who may have special educational needs get the support they need to achieve their potential.
‘Parents speak very positively about the quality of support which they receive, and greatly appreciate the trusting relationships which they have developed with staff who, they say, frequently “go the extra mile” to learn more about and respond appropriately to the specific needs of their children.’ Stockport Inclusion Quality Mark, November 2018
We draw on the advice of specialists to enhance our personalised approach. If appropriate, the speech therapist, educational psychologist, Sensory Support Service, Learning Support Service and Behaviour Support Service are available and may work alongside us in school.
More details can be found in our SEN Information Report below.
The Stockport Entitlement Framework links closely to the Equality Act (2010) and the SEND Code of Practice. School access, resources and provision are kept under constant review. Our Disability Access Policy and Plan is available on the school website. Children with special physical needs have access to school via the main entrance and rear ramps. School should be notified of any physical conditions and symptoms in confidence as soon as possible so that specific needs can be addressed.
‘Parents speak very positively about the quality of support which they receive, and greatly appreciate the trusting relationships which they have developed with staff who, they say, frequently “go the extra mile” to learn more about and respond appropriately to the specific needs of their children.’ Stockport Inclusion Quality Mark, November 2018
We draw on the advice of specialists to enhance our personalised approach. If appropriate, the speech therapist, educational psychologist, Sensory Support Service, Learning Support Service and Behaviour Support Service are available and may work alongside us in school.
More details can be found in our SEN Information Report below.
The Stockport Entitlement Framework links closely to the Equality Act (2010) and the SEND Code of Practice. School access, resources and provision are kept under constant review. Our Disability Access Policy and Plan is available on the school website. Children with special physical needs have access to school via the main entrance and rear ramps. School should be notified of any physical conditions and symptoms in confidence as soon as possible so that specific needs can be addressed.
Banks Lane Infant and Nursery School - SEN Information Report (School Offer)
Banks Lane Infant and Nursery School values the individuality of all our children. We are committed to giving all children every opportunity to achieve the highest standards regardless of age, gender, race, disability, faith or background.
The school aims to be inclusive which means that equality of opportunity must be a reality for all children.
We believe that ‘Learning is Fun’ and aim to develop a lifelong love of learning through a motivational curriculum where activities are matched to individual levels of ability.
We believe that positive partnerships with parents play a vital role in a child’s education and well being.
Detailed knowledge of our children and early identification of their needs enable us to support our inclusive ethos.
The SEN Information Report describes how we support children with a range of special needs.
It is set out as 'frequently asked questions' to enable accessibility.
It is accessible by clicking the blue button below or as a downloadable file.
Update to SEN information report in light of COVID-19.
The situation in which we find ourselves is fast-moving; as such, please note that this report is based on information available on 7.4.2020 and is subject to change.
What are the entitlements of children and young people with SEN when schools are closed due to Coronavirus?
All schools have been ordered to effectively close, retaining a skeleton staff to provide education for the children of key workers, and ‘vulnerable children.’
‘Vulnerable children’ include those who have a social worker and those with an Education Health Care Plan (EHC plan). The majority of children with SEN, who receive SEN Support at school but do not have an EHC plan, would be expected to stay home, if it is safe to do so, unless they have a social worker or a parent/carer who is a key worker.
What does this mean for my child who has an EHC plan?
Government guidance published on 22nd March states:
We expect most children and young people with EHC plans will fall into the following categories:
- children and young people who would be at significant risk if their education, health and care provision and placement did not continue, namely those who could not safely be supported at home. This may include those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, and those receiving significant levels of personal care support.
- children and young people whose needs can be met at home, namely those who are not receiving personal care from their educational setting, or whose limited need for personal care can be met in their family home.
- “[…] nurseries, schools, special schools, colleges and other training providers should undertake a risk assessment to establish the individual needs of each child or young person with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. This assessment should incorporate the views of the child or young person and their parents. This will inform the decision about whether they should continue in school or college, or whether their needs can be met at home safely.
- If needs are best met at schools or colleges, we will support their school or college to meet their needs, wherever possible. For those on SEN support, schools, colleges and local authorities have discretion to use the same risk judgement to decide whether home or school is the safest setting for these children. It is, however, important that as many children as possible remain at home during this time in order to help reduce transmission rates.”
In addition to the risk assessments noted above (to be carried out by schools), all families with children who attend Stockport schools and have an EHC plan will have received a welfare phone call from Stockport LA SEND team by 17th April. These calls are to check that families can access appropriate help and advice during the Covid-19 situation and to ensure that any risks to a child or young person’s health, wellbeing or safety if they do not receive a particular provision or intervention, are addressed.
My child has an EHC plan - do I have to send them in to school?
Despite schools staying open for some children, the guidance is quite clear: ‘If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
Under the Coronavirus Act, the criminal penalty for parents failing to send their children to school will be temporarily dis-applied. (N.B. At the time of writing, the Secretary of State has not yet officially made the order under the Coronavirus Act ordering schools to close and thereby dis-applying the criminal penalty, but we anticipate this will happen very soon.)
My child has an EHC plan - does the local authority still have a legal duty to deliver provision?
From a legal perspective this remains the case. However, given the likely significant disruption to staffing, it may be very difficult for schools or local authorities to deliver the precise provision in the EHC plan over the next few weeks. The Government has just passed the Coronavirus Act 2020 which contains two key amendments to the law:
- The absolute duty to make the provision in an EHC plan (section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014) has been temporarily amended to a lesser duty to use ‘reasonable endeavours’. This means that during the specified period the LA needs to do whatever it reasonably can to put provision in place, but if they cannot do so, they would not necessarily be breaching the law.
- The duty on schools to admit a child where the EHC plan names that school (section 43 of the Children and Families Act 2014) can be temporarily dis- applied.
Again, if there could be a risk to your child or young person’s health, wellbeing or safety if they do not receive a particular provision or intervention, please raise this with us without delay.
My child has an EHC plan and was due to have an annual review. What will happen now?
Under the Coronavirus Act, the requirement to carry out annual reviews can also be temporarily disapplied where this is considered to be “appropriate and proportionate”. (The order bringing this into effect has not yet been made but we expect it to happen imminently.)
However, currently schools will continue to hold annual reviews if at all possible. This will of course need to be carried out remotely and we will speak to you first about how this will be managed to ensure that the contribution of parents and children/young people continue to be at the heart of the process.
A request for statutory assessment has been sent in for my child - do the LA still need to carry out EHC needs assessments?
Although the Minister’s open letter suggests that the government will be seeking to amend regulations on the timescales for EHC plan processes where this is appropriate because of COVID-19 as yet, no order has been passed to this effect.
Stockport LA will continue to carry out any EHC needs assessments. On a practical basis, the LA’s ability to comply with deadlines may be occasionally hampered by staff absence and the way EHC needs assessments are conducted may be affected by the availability of staff and restrictions on face to face contact and working from home. However, Stockport LA will endeavour to continue to fulfil statutory duties; we can obtain information and advice and conduct virtual meetings; as such decisions about whether or not to assess will continue to be made as far as is reasonably possible.
My child has an EHC plan and is still attending school - how will my child’s learning be supported at school?
It is important to note the school will not be providing a full curriculum; they will be providing care for the children and incorporating education provision and a range of activities, but this will NOT be fully in line with a child’s EHC provision.
How can I support my child’s learning at home?
If your child has an identified SEN (EHCP or SEN Support), the class teacher will take account of their needs when planning for and providing work to be completed at home. This may include:
- suggesting different ways in which children can present their work;
- giving more detailed instructions;
- providing parents with suggestions to make tasks more practical in nature;
- providing alternative work which is targeted at their level of need where they may not ordinarily access curriculum subjects at age expected levels.
There are also some helpful resources on Stockport’s local offer:
https://stockport.fsd.org.uk/kb5/stockport/fsd/advice.page?id=zPgonwIQaX0
How can I help my child cope with the changes?
We understand that this is a significant change for many families. Please give yourself time to adjust to this new routine and above all, do not place too much pressure on yourself or your child to complete schoolwork. Maintaining positive mental health and emotional wellbeing is very important. There are some helpful resources on Stockport’s local offer:
https://stockport.fsd.org.uk/kb5/stockport/fsd/advice.page?id=zPgonwIQaX0
How long are schools likely be closed?
At this stage no-one is able to say exactly how long schools will stay closed, though it seems clear it’s more likely to be a matter of months rather than weeks, depending on how the pandemic progresses. Mr Williamson told MPs he would be “guided by scientific and medical advice” on reopening.
What plans will be made for re-integration and transition to new classes/schools?
We know that any transitions, especially for many of our children with SEN, can be stressful and needs to be well planned, in advance, and should not be introduced abruptly. We understand that re-integration back in to school and/or transition to a new class or school is going to be made even more challenging following the current situation. Furthermore, we know that children’s reactions to returning to school will vary greatly and some children will need much more additional support.
As such, our aim is to plan carefully for transition and reintegration and work closely with you as parents/carers to help prepare your child/children and guide them through these transitions carefully. The Local Authority are currently planning guidelines and processes which we will then adapt for our school and to meet the needs of your child. Once these guidelines are agreed, we will be in touch with all parents/carers, including discussing any bespoke planning for individuals. As such, although we can’t tell you what the plans for transition will look like just yet, advice will be available from the LA by the end of April and as a school, we will then be in touch to begin the planning process with you as parents/carers.
Who can I contact?
We realise that these are difficult times for everyone. If you have any concerns or queries please contact Mrs Newson using headteacher@bankslane-inf.stockport.sch.uk or Mrs Wilkinson SENCo using lisa.wilkinson@bankslane-inf.stockport.sch.uk or a member of the Senior Leadership Team on the school phone number - 480 9252
Helpline for families The ‘COVID-19 Stockport Community Helpline’ will help people most in need - who do not have friends or family to support them – to access key services that will help keep them safe and well by calling 0161 217 6046, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
SHOUT service is a mental health service available 24hrs/7 days a week. Text GMStockport to 85258
Useful local links:
Stockport Local Offer: https://stockport.fsd.org.uk/kb5/stockport/fsd/advice.page?id=zPgonwIQaX0
PACTS (parents and carers together Stockport): http://pactstockport.co.uk/
Further useful information
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) has launched two new email inboxes aimed to answer questions, collate resources and share information on Coronavirus and the impact on children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They are designed to be used by professionals, practitioners, parent carers and families of children and young people with SEND.
The new ‘CDC questions’ inbox, CDCquestions@ncb.org.uk , provides the opportunity to ask questions about how coronavirus will impact on children and young people with SEND as well as other questions relating to the impact on families; the education, health, social care sectors; and the voluntary and community sector. The CDC will collate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and share them with the Department for Education and Ministers as appropriate, in order to publish an FAQs newsflash each Friday.
The ‘CDC resources’ inbox, CDCresources@ncb.org.uk, is designed to enable parent carers, sector professionals and practitioners to share resources, to support families of children and young people with SEND and practitioners across the disabled children’s sector. The CDC will add these resources to their COVID-19 Support and Guidance webpage: https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/news-opinion/news/covid-19-support-and-guidance
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