Council
Department of Education & Children’s Services
GUIDELINES
REFERRAL TO THE DYSLEXIA SUPPORT SERVICE
EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES
GUIDELINES FOR DYSLEXIA SUPPORT SERVICE
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?
East Lothian has adopted the following definition of dyslexia:
Dyslexia is evident when accurate and fluent word reading and / or spelling develops very incompletely or with great difficulty.
This definition focuses on literacy learning at ‘word’ level – i.e. persistent difficulty with letter sounds, blending, syllabification and rhyme – and implies that the problem is severe and persistent despite appropriate learning opportunities.
This definition requires that three aspects be evaluated through the assessment process:
1. that the pupil is learning / has learned accurate and fluent word reading and / or spelling very incompletely
2. that appropriate learning opportunities have been provided
3. that progress has been made only as a result of much additional effort and instruction and that difficulties have nevertheless persisted.
East Lothian Council promotes policies and practices which support the full and effective inclusion of all children and young people, is committed to providing educational opportunities which place young people at the centre of learning and teaching. Informed by these policies, teaching of literacy should be structured to give all pupils appropriate learning opportunities.
The legislative background that informs these policies in respect of teaching pupils with additional support needs is summarised below:
1. The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act (2000) requires that all schools are able to respond to pupil diversity in ways that are proactive and consistent.
2. The Education (Disability Strategies and Pupil Records) (Scotland) Act (2002) makes it unlawful for education providers to discriminate against any pupil by not providing a consistent approach to strategic planning and improving accessibility of school education for pupils with disabilities. This includes curriculum access for pupils with dyslexia.
3. The Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act (2004) places the duty on education authorities to establish procedures for identifying and meeting the needs of every child and young person who requires additional support to benefit from education.
For schools to meet the needs of pupils with dyslexia the following points must be considered (see Inclusive Practices for more detail):
· Inclusive models of curriculum delivery and assessment are promoted in mainstream contexts.
· The role of the class teacher in identifying dyslexia, and implementing and monitoring interventions is acknowledged and supported.
· The role of Support for Learning staff in providing information and specialist services is acknowledged and supported.
· The role of the Dyslexia Support Service supplements the role of the class teacher and Support for Learning staff but does not replace it.
· The role of speech and language therapy services is acknowledged and incorporated into support provided for pupils where appropriate.
· In cases of other additional support needs which may co-occur with dyslexia, other specialist services are involved as appropriate.
EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
DYSLEXIA SUPPORT SERVICE
REFERRAL FORM
Completed forms should be sent to:
Dyslexia Support Service
Longniddry School
Kitchener Crescent
Longniddry
East Lothian
EH32 0LR
or by email to:
Name of School: ______
Date of Referral: ______Date received by DSS: ______
School contact person (name, phone/email): ______
TYPE OF SUPPORT REQUESTED
Please Tick
c Consultancy
c Staff development (whole school)
c Staff development (group / department)
c Consultancy + Support for pupils (class)
c Consultancy + Support for pupils (group)
c Consultancy + Support for pupils (individual)
· Please note, when requesting support for an individual pupils, the East Lothian Children’s Services Referral Form must be completed for each pupil.
· When the DSS teacher is supporting a group of pupils, parents should be informed.
Dyslexia Support Service Referral Form
This referral must be discussed with Support for Learning staff and a member of management
EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
DYSLEXIA SUPPORT SERVICE
PLANNING PROFILE
Date of planning meeting:Name of school:
Name of child, if appropriate:
Present:
Proposed date of evaluation meeting:
Anticipated outcome of collaborative work:
ACTIONS
/BY WHOM
/BY WHEN
Signed:Copied to:
EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
DYSLEXIA SUPPORT SERVICE
EVALUATION PROFILE