Headteachers and SENCO’s / Our Ref: Simon Jenner/AP
Direct Line: 01253 476551
Email:
Date: 24th July 2014

Dear Colleague

Re: SEN and Disability Change

Further to the recent SENCo training day, please find enclosed the latest copy of the in depth process for supporting young people with SEN, including the system for an assessment toward a possible Education, Health and Care Plan. There are a number of appendices with the appropriate paperwork

Because the process is new, this will be revised during the year as it is used, and your views will be vital in this process. It will be located, along with all referral documents, on the Blackpool Local Offer site ( The site will continue to be developed over the next twelve months. The early school based stages are a guide only and could be adapted according to your own situation. Care must be taken, if you do this, that they still meet the requirement of the Code of Practice, which has now been approved by the House of Commons and is in operation.

An important changeoutlined the SEN Code, 9.47, is that the local authority must not seek formal advice when this has been provided, for instance at the point that a statutory assessment has been requested by a school. This means that schools and other agencies should not have to repeat the same information, unless an update is required or more information is needed for the plan to be written. It will also mean that the tighter statutory time-lines can be adhered to.

In regard to Educational Psychology advice the code states….”The psychological advice information from an Educational Psychologist who should normally be employed or commissioned by the local authority” (9.49). Due to the tighter statutory timescales, and most advice being provided at the point of requesting an assessment, the local authority would require involvement from an Educational Psychologist ‘commissioned by or employed by the local authority‘(we would include associates in this) at the point of request. The relevant psychological report should normally include input into at least the formation and review of the last assess-plan-do-review cycleand enough information for the relevant parts of the Plan to be written. This will enable the tight time scales to be met. Although the code is less explicit about Specialised TeachingServices, the same principle would apply.

Already sent to schools are:

  • The process for annual review of Statements to transfer them to EHCP’s.
  • The graduated approach across all schools.
  • Reasonable adjustments for disabled students.
  • The application form for an EHCP assessment.

These are included again within the appendices.

We are currently working on a reasonable expectations document that SENCOs have seen. This is guidance on the provision from quality first teaching, SEN school input and for an EHCP should beacross all settings. This will be work in progress over the next few months, involving input from schools. The process for an annual review of an EHCP will also be circulated during the year.

Training will opportunities will occur,includingopportunities for person centred training, and work on the new process. Feedback about your training needs would be useful in developing what is offered. The local offer site will include all documents and policies, including joint communising, the EHCP process and template and personal budgets.

We are at a time of exciting change that will make a real difference to children/young people with SEN or a disability and their families. As we work together systems will become even better and more person centred.

Please feel free to contact myself if you have any queries

Yours sincerely

Dr Simon Jenner

Principal Educational Psychologist/Service Manager SEND

Enc 22 appendices

Sue Harrison, Director of Children’s Services
Children’s Services Department
Progress House, Clifton Road
Blackpool, FY4 4US / Contact
T: (01253) 477477
F: (01253) 476560