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The Bristol Childcare SEND Local Offer

As part of the SEND reforms in September 2014 settings are now required to produce a Local Offer. These reforms are set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice:

Key principles of the Act are to focus on:

  • Improving participation of parents in their child’s SEND
  • Outcomes and improving progress for children with SEND
  • Integration of all agencies: A joint approach with education, health and social care are required to co-operate at local level to meet the children’s needs

Children will receive SEND support; a graduated approach to identifying and meeting SEND.

The Local authority responsibilities:

  • Health services MUST inform parents if a child under school age have a SEN or disability (through screening programmes and the healthy child two year old check
  • Produce an EHC assessment under compulsory school age when the special educational provision required to meet the child’s needs cannot be provided from the resources normally available to the provider (BCC)
  • Seek advice from the current provider when making any EHC plans
  • Offer families of children with an EHC plan a personal budget
  • Statements for children will now be called Education and Health care Assessments
  • Provide a Local Offer which informs parent, carers, young people with SEN or disabilities what education, health care and other services, such as transport or leisure are available in their area. This is not merely a directory.

As part of the Local Offer Bristol Childcare will:

  • Provide a key person for a child, after suitable transition time. The child will be influential in the choice, where possible
  • Monitor and support children through observation and assessment, in line with the EYFS
  • Have a named SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) who will support children, staff and parents
  • Inform and discuss with parents if their child needs additional support
  • Hold regular staff meetings to discuss children’s needs and progress
  • Update any concerns about a child’s SEND monthly and review
  • Provide a training coordinator who works with the SENCO to provide suitable staff training
  • Conduct a progress check when a child is aged between 2 and 2 ½ years. Any concerns will be referred to the SENCO and health care team (with parental consent)
  • Contact other settings if a child attends other providers
  • Attend transition meetings with other settings i.e. schools, other early years providers
  • If necessary, refer a child to the NHS speech and language team after suitable observation, assessment and IEPs
  • Refer a child to the inclusion team if they require additional support or need to apply for funding for a child
  • Take reasonable steps to adapt the provision for a child with disabilities/SEND and/or apply for additional support through funding
  • Provide articles on certain behaviours etc to support parents/carers
  • Contact/refer a parent/carer to our linked children’s centre for further support, classes or information.
  • Display any information about speech and language drop in sessions or relevant parent courses in the nursery reception area.

Bristol Childcare Staff keep up with relevant courses, training and legislation to support children through the local offer. They have attended the following courses and shared this practice across the group:

  • Learning Language and Loving It
  • More than Words
  • Makaton
  • Sing and Sign
  • Babble to Chatter
  • Attention Autism
  • Phonological Awareness

The Priory Local Offer details:

SENCO: Kerry Rosewarne

Training: Level 6 BA (Hons) Education in Professional Practice; Foundation Degree Working with Children, Young People and their Families; CACHE Diploma Level 3 in Child Care and Education

Linked Children’s Centre: Filton Children’s Centre, Conygre Road – 01454 864 150

The Court House Local Offer details:

SENCO: Amelia Dann

Training: SENCO Level 3, autism, sport and physical activity

Linked Children’s Centre: Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Bristol – 0117 903 0255

Mornington House Local Offer details:

SENCO: Sally King

Qualifications: L2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

Linked Children’s Centre: St Pauls Children’s Centre, Bristol – 0117 9030 337

 

For The Priory Day Nursery you can access the Local authority Local Offer at www.southglos.gov.uk/local-offer

The Court House and Mornington House Local authority Local Offer can be found at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/web/bristol-local-offer