| Q |
What is a Special Educational Need? |
| A |
Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a term used if a child has difficulty accessing the curriculum,
which may mean that he/she may need to have some form of specialist provision made for them in
order to learn. It may be a general learning difficulty, an emotional, behavioural, sensory or physical
disability or it may be a difficulty related to communication or speech and language.
Some children have special educational needs if they have a greater difficulty in learning than children
of the same age or have a disability that may make it difficult to access education in the same way as
children of a similar age.
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| Q |
What if my child has a Special Educational Need? |
| A |
In Wakefield, we are committed to meeting the needs of all children, wherever possible, within
mainstream schools or sometimes in a Special School or Resourced Provision. We always aim to
work as partners with parents and carers to make sure we achieve this.
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| Q |
Where can I get help in understanding the way things are done as well as support and advice? |
| A |
The Parent Partnership Service can help to make sure that parents/carers of children, who have
Special Educational Needs, have impartial support and guidance regarding all issues that affect your
child, particularly during admission to school, school placements and in relation to special needs
procedures. Their aim is to offer support and guidance. Staff are available to offer advice over the
telephone or in person.
For information telephone Wakefield Parent Partnership Service on 01924 302840 or email:
parentpartnership@wakefield.gov.uk. The Special Needs Team at Normanton Town Hall can offer advice on
special needs policy and practice. For general enquires telephone 01924 302465.
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| Q |
What is available if my child has a special need? |
| A |
Most children who have Special Educational Needs are educated in mainstream schools. Wakefield’s
aim is that as far as possible most children will attend the school within their local community. Schools
are able to support children who have Special Educational Needs from resources made available to
them. Support services are available for all schools in order to provide advice and specialist support
for managing educational provision for pupils who have more complex needs. These are some of the
services provided by the LA:
- The Special Educational Needs Support Services (SENSS);
- Service for Social Communication and Interaction (SSCI);
- Educational Psychology Service (EPS);
- Educational Welfare Service (EWS).
Some children with more complex needs have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. This is a
formal document, which is put together as a result of collecting advice from parents, and professionals
who have been involved with the child. It describes the needs of the child and how these will be met in
school. The majority of children with Special Educational Needs do not need a statement. If your
child has Special Educational Needs but does not have a statement he/she will go through the same
admissions arrangements as all children. A small number of children may need a highly specialised
curriculum or may need extremely specialised support or resources that are only available within a
Special School, or a Resourced Provision. Placements will normally be within a school in Wakefield .
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| Q |
How will my child be admitted to school if a statement is already in place? |
| A |
Some children have statements when they start full time education. For these children, the Special
Needs Team would consider the individual child’s needs and discuss these and the placement with
you. Different terms apply for those without a statement. The usual application for school should be
submitted to the School Admissions Team and they will refer this to the Special Needs Team.
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| Q |
Will my child be able to attend a mainstream school if a statement of Special Educational Needs is in place? |
| A |
The Local Authority has a duty to name the school that you ask for unless:
- the school is unsuitable to the child’s ability, aptitude or Special Educational Needs; or
- the attendance at the school chosen would be incompatible with the efficient education of
other children with whom the child would be educated or with the efficient use of resources.
It is very important if your child has a statement, for you to state this on all the forms when applying for
a school place.
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| Q |
What if my child needs to attend a Special School? |
| A |
For some children, it may not be appropriate for them to go to a mainstream school and it may only be
possible for their needs to be met within a Special School or Resourced Provision. The Specialist
Resourced Provisions are located within schools and make it possible for pupils with special needs to
spend time in mainstream schools with access to specialist resources including specialist teaching.
Recommendations on suitable placement will be made through the statutory process and annual
review of the statement.
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| Q |
What if my child's needs can't be met in Wakefield? |
| A |
Wakefield has a wide range of provisions available and (a list can be found in the guide for parents), therefore, it is only in very exceptional circumstances that a placement outside of the district would be considered. As far as is possible, we seek to meet the needs of pupils in mainstream schools, special schools or resourced provisions in Wakefield.
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| Q |
What if I do not agree with the school my child is given? |
| A |
Before any school is allocated, there is a full consultation with parents, particularly throughout the initial assessment process as well as annually when the statement is reviewed. If, after consultations have taken place, agreements cannot be reached, the Parent Partnership Service offer impartial advice and support. The case can be referred to an independent regional mediation service, available through the Local Authority. Finally, should the matter still be unresolved, parents have the right of appeal to the Independent Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).
Pupils with special needs, who do not have a statement, can appeal against a placement through the mainstream appeals process.
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| Q |
If the local school can't meet the needs of my child, will transport be provided to an appropriate school? |
| A |
Pupils, who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs and attend a special school, may qualify for transport. This depends on the nature of the child’s Special Educational Needs. Transport arrangements can be discussed with SEN officers when the statement is being written or reviewed. Wakefield has a transport policy for pupils who attend mainstream schools; this will be followed for all pupils and forms part of this guide. Transport is secured through tendering and is undertaken by West Yorkshire Transport Executive, (METRO). Any costs incurred that are different to those proposed through tendering, for any alternative type of transport, will have to be agreed. Where this may add to the cost, this will only be agreed if parents/carers or other agencies agree to meet additional charges. If you choose to send your child to a school, which is not the nearest appropriate school (and is not named on the statement), the authority will not provide assistance with transport.
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| Q |
What if I want my child with Special Educational Needs to attend a Catholic or Church of England School? |
| A |
If the school is Voluntary Aided, the School Governors will consider admission in accordance with their published admissions policy.
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| Q |
Who can I contact if I need further information or any concerns I may have about my child or Special Educational Needs? |
| A |
If you have other children who are already in school you should contact the Headteacher of the school with all enquiries. The Parent Partnership Service can be contacted through the Local Authority, and advice and further information can be obtained from the Special Educational Needs Team on Tel. 01924 302465.
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| Q |
If I do not agree with the naming of a school on my child's statement, can I appeal and who and where do I go to do this? |
| A |
The Parent Partnership Service is an impartial source of advice and information to parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs. A regional Independent Mediation Service is also available.
For information and advice relating to disagreements please contact Tel. 01924 302840 or e-mail: parentpartnership@wakefield.gov.uk
Appeals can be made to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).
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| Q |
If I have any questions relating to the change of school who can I ask? |
| A |
Any questions that cannot be answered through your child’s current school or new school, can be addressed by contacting the Special Needs Team at Normanton Town Hall on Tel. 01924 302465
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