- A child with a disability is a child with a special ability -

Education from pre-school age to sixteen

PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN
OPPORTUNITY PLAYGROUPS:

Pre-school from birth to age 5 these provide opportunities for all children to experience play with experienced staff. They are all different and give different types of support for parents/carers. It is well worth contacting more than one to see which suits your requirements best.

The Portage scheme is an early learning scheme, which helps you as a parent to help your child develop new skills and abilities. The Portage worker visits your home where your child's current development is observed and recorded in a checklist of skills.

She works with you to show how to help your child develop with carefully planned repetitive movements, like drinking from a cup. It is worth enquiring into even if you think your child is "not that bad ".

There are nursery departments attached to most Primary schools. For those needing extra help there are nursery units attached to special schools.
If it looks like your child will have long term special needs then the Local Education Authority (LEA) may make a statutory assessment (see next section).

You can ask the LEA to assess your child even if he is under two; write to the Special Needs Officer (SNO) at the appropriate Area Education Office. You may find it helpful to talk to a parents group or voluntary organisation.
Choosing a school for a child with SEN can be a worrying time. The pre-school advisory teacher should visit you to discuss the options.

These might be mainstream school with extra support; area support centre (attached to a local school); special school; or even a specialised boarding school. Special schools may be categorised into those for children with physical, moderate, or severe learning difficulties.
Do visit any of the schools suggested and make a list of good and bad points, also any schools, which appeal to you. If you agree with the LEA to send your child to a school outside your catchments area, they will arrange transport for them.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
Many concerns can be sorted out easily at school by talking to your child's teacher or head teacher. School governors also have an increasing responsibility and should help with all manner of problems. If your child has special educational needs (SEN) the school may commence "a Record of Support"; a procedure divided into 5 stages with increasing support.
.
The stages do not have to be followed in sequence and parents can trigger " Record of Support" at any time or indeed request a statutory assessment (this is important.

Stages 1-3 are school based and very basically involves collecting information on the child and implementing an individual education plan. A review is carried out each term. It may be that after a couple of terms your child may not need any more help.

He may stay at the present level or need more help. At stage 3 the school will involve the specialist services relevant to your child's needs. These may be from the LEA, Health Authority, or Social Services.

If you child's needs are such that he will need more help then the LEA consider the need for statutory assessment and, if appropriate, make a multi-disciplinary assessment (stage 4).

The LEA will give information on procedures, local support groups etc.; a named LEA officer (SNO); and suggest that you choose a "named person" (preferably independent) who can help and support you. You can choose a friend or relative if you prefer.

If you have difficulty choosing a named person then refer back to your SNO. You have 29 days to submit your own written evidence. This is important, as you know your child better than anyone else. You can also request reports from other people who know your child well. Guidelines are available in the Network 81 Handbook, ACE handbook or the Code of Practice on SEN.

If the LEA decides to proceed (stage 5), they will then seek advice from various agencies. If the LEA decides to issue a draft statement you will be sent a copy together with the procedures to be followed; otherwise you will be sent a note in lieu. At this stage you can only appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal if you asked for the assessment initially.
The statutory assessment process is rather complicated so you really need a good guide, e.g. Network 81 Handbook or the ACE Handbook. The LEA will also provide literature.

Transition Plan
Children with statements have their progress reviewed at least yearly at the Annual Review. Annual reviews after your child's 14th birthday can involve a variety of people and organisations that will play a major role when she leaves school, e.g. the Careers Service and Social Services. This review will produce a Transition Plan for your child's move to adult life. You and your child will be asked to help draw up this plan.

Education other than at school
If your child is awaiting a place at a special school or is ill or has to go into hospital for some time, the LEA must still provide education.

EXCLUSIONS

Pupils can be excluded from school for fixed periods of time or permanently, depending on the seriousness of the breach of rules. If your child is excluded, the head teacher must inform you without delay and give the reasons for the decision.

You have a right to make representations to the governors and the LEA and you should be told the procedures. If your child is permanently excluded the LEA has to ensure that another school is found and should provide home teaching until your child returns to school.

The LEA may suggest your child attends a pupil referral unit (PRU). Do visit these units - they might help to solve the problem. Children should only be excluded on the grounds of serious criminal offence, persistent bullying and such like - not because there are inadequate resources.

If you child has behavioural problems, are there any learning difficulties, which are not being addressed?

The DFEE has published some useful circulars on both these subjects: 10/99 (plus an insert dated Jan 2000); 11/99; 9/97; 12/94 which are available free of charge: telephone 0845 6022260.

POST 16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Careers Advisory Officers are the key contacts for helping young people to become fully aware of the opportunities available and can offer advice and guidance on the range of suitable further education and training routes.

There are wide ranges of establishments, which are able to offer opportunities to young people. These include sixth forms, special schools, specialist schools in other parts of the country, colleges of further education, etc. Responsibility for providing extra help, transport, etc. depends on the type of establishment and whether your youngster has a statement.

Contact SKILL (National Body for Students with Disabilities) or the Further Education Funding Council for information. Your Careers Officer can advise on other options and the Family Fund also publishes information

EMPLOYMENT
The employment service has a lot to offer disabled people. They can provide you with a pack of information and plenty of advice. Your local Job Centre is a good place to start. You can ask to see a Client Adviser who can help with training, benefits and travelling costs.

If you need specific advice because of a disability or health problem he may refer you to the Disability Employment Adviser.

He or She is part of a team of disability specialists in the Placing and Assessment and Counselling Team (PACT).

go to top

© copyright 2001- 2003 all rights reserved

to bookmark this site 'right click' on the link below http://www.special-abilities.net then choose 'add to favorites'
	Donate food by clicking here
Our web hosts are