All children and young people will have their own unique learning journey. Most children and young people in Hertfordshire can be supported in mainstream education. This includes children with and without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
In Hertfordshire we have different levels of support for children and young people in education, according to their needs. The levels start with support in mainstream education and go up through a range of specialist provisions (we call this 'ladder of support' the Graduated Offer).
Ordinarily Available Provision and SEND support
The SENCo and class teachers at your child's school will have the expertise and experience to support most special educational needs needs within the classroom. This is done through everyday inclusive teaching and learning in schools and is known as SEND support.
Our 'Ordinarily Available Provision' guidance (pdf 838kb) for schools gives examples of the 'adaptive teaching' or 'reasonable adjustments' that are part of SEND support. The guidance supports schools to reflect on and strengthen their provision for all children and young people with SEND.
How are schools and SENCos supported?
SENCos and schools have access to advice and guidance if they need help in identifying a child's needs, or working out the best ways to support them.
Ask SALI Advice Line
Ask SALI advice line is a resource for local schools and settings. The advice line is staffed by SEND Information Guidance and Advice Officers. Their knowledge of different SEND pathways and first-hand experience of working with services means that they are well equipped to support schools and settings. They work alongside schools to make sure that children's needs are identified as early as possible and that support is put in place to enable children to overcome barriers to learning, and thrive in mainstream settings.
Ask SALI advisors speak to SENCos and other professionals, working with schools to support in developing practice, answer questions and to find answers. By providing support to schools in this way, children’s needs will be met earlier which means that they may not need more high-level support in the future.
If you are a SENCo or other education professionals, log into the Grid and view the Ask SALI details.
The Ask SALI line is a dedicated line for school professionals. If you're a parent or carer looking for advice, you'll find details of advice lines on our Contact a SEND Service page.
SEND Implementation Support Officers
SEND Implementation and Support Officers have in-depth knowledge of the different SEND pathways and first-hand experience of working with SEND services. They will act as a bridge between school, you and the Statutory SEND Service and will work closely with school to ensure that your child's needs are met, and that you and your family are well supported along the journey.
Developing Special Provision Locally (DSPL)
One way in which Hertfordshire provides support to children and young people with SEND across the county is through our Delivering Special Provision Locally groups (DSPLs). There are 9 DSPL areas. The reason for having different area groups means that the groups can cater the provision to exactly what their area needs, giving a more focused approach to providing the right support for the right locality. They provide support to schools and also widen the choice for parents and families of support outside of school in the local area. Learn more about the 9 DSPL areas.
Additional specialist support your child can get at school
If your child or young person is still not making progress in spite of SEND support, the school can refer your child to a number of specialist services for additional support. There can be a wait for some specialist SEND services, and the SENCo may need to provide evidence to show what has already been put in place for the child to support their learning.
SEND Specialist Advice and Support Services your school can refer to
The SEND Specialist Advice and Support Service are a team of qualified teachers and professionals with expertise and knowledge in specific areas of SEND. They work with schools and settings to support them to develop inclusive practice, and in more complex cases, will work with individual children and young people. Their offer of support focusses on early interventions.
They also have a programme of training throughout the year which they deliver to mainstream schools and colleges, to share good practice and help enhance their skills.
The SEND Specialist Advisory Service Teams
Schools can also refer to the Special School Outreach Team; in this case, a colleague from one of our Special Schools will visit a school to offer advice on individual cases, focusing particularly on addressing concerns over learning. They also offer 'in-reach' support where a SENCo might visit a Special School to learn strategies and observe good practice in supporting children and young people with additional needs. Referrals should be made via the Hertfordshire Service Request Form - Children and young people.
There can be a wait for some of the specialist SEND teams but many of the teams have advice lines where you can speak to a professional to discuss your concerns and ask for advice and strategies which you can put in place straight away. You'll find the details on our Contact a SEND Service page.
Smaller Learning Environments
Some children's needs will be better met in a smaller environment and with more intensive support. They might attend a specialist centre such as a Specialist Resource Provision, or a Deaf and/or Hearing Impairment base. Places in these provisions are allocated through the EHCP process.
Information:
Some children might be referred to an Education Support Centre, for a short period of time, where they will receive individualised and specialist help until they are ready to re-join a mainstream school or setting.
Special Schools
Not all children with SEND will be able to have their needs met in a mainstream school. Some, in spite of the support in place, will have needs which will be better suited to a special school. Places at special schools are allocated through the EHCP process.