SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS PROVISION

In Wirral we are committed to providing a high quality education for all pupils including naturally those pupils identified as having special educational needs. As part of our school improvement working practices we look closely and regularly at the achievements of different types of pupils, from those who have severe and complex learning difficulties to those identified as gifted and talented. All our schools have designated special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) who monitor and review the effectiveness of their SEN policies with their governing bodies. We have recently produced a Plan for the development of Special Educational Needs in Wirral, which emphasises the need for early intervention to help pupils with special needs and sets out ways in which more children can be taught in mainstream schools. We work closely with our schools, using a process of supported self-review, to improve all aspects of educational and social inclusion.

Provision for Children with Special Educational Needs

We have a wide range of provision for pupils with special educational needs both in mainstream and special school settings. We have eleven special schools in Wirral which we organise into separate primary and secondary schools. These schools generally cater for pupils with long term, special learning needs. In mainstream schools there are special classes for children with learning difficulties and bases that offer specialist support for pupils with hearing and visual impairment. There are units for children with speech and language difficulties in three primary schools. Several schools have been adapted for pupils with physical difficulties and one of our secondary schools has a base for pupils who have significant special needs associated with Asperger's Syndrome. In exceptional circumstances children are educated in non-educational settings and out of borough.

Identification and Assessment of Children with SEN

Procedures for the identification and assessment of children with SEN are set out in the Wirral SEN handbook which is now being revised in line with the new Code of Practice. Having identified that a child has a learning difficulty a school would consider what steps to take to meet them through School Action or School Action Plus. This might mean that further assessment is undertaken, that differentiated learning materials are used, more individual or group support is put in place or that staff training is arranged.

For a very small proportion of children special provision has to be made through a Statement of SEN. The Statement sets out the objectives for the child's education and specifies the level of provision that he/she needs. A child with a Statement may be educated in a mainstream school or a special school

Special Education Support Service

The service is made up of educational psychologists, learning support teachers, a co-ordinator for children with physical or medical impairments, a Behavior Support Co-ordinator, support staff for children with an autistic spectrum disorder, the hearing and vision support services, and the Portage service (for pre-school children), and a team of teachers for children whose first language is not English. The Service offers assessment, advice and support for pupils who have or may have special educational needs.