Special Educational Needs (SEN)

• Who decides which school a child with a Statement goes to?
• What if the council names a primary school which is not the preferred option of parents?
• What should parents consider when deciding on their preference for a primary school?
• Mainstream or special school?
• Further help and advice
• Tameside Parent Partnership Service

The process of allocating a primary school place for children with Statements of Special Educational Needs is different from children who do not have a Statement.

All children with Statements, regardless of their need or school they attend, go through the same process.

This process is set out in the SEN Code of Practice.

Who decides which school a child with a Statement goes to?

The council works in partnership with parents, schools and support services when making the final decision about which school is ‘named’ in Part 4 of the statement - and therefore which school the pupil will attend. While in law it is the council which ‘names’ the school, due regard must be paid to the preference of parents. However the council is also required by the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice to consider:

• The special educational needs of the pupils and the extent to which these can be met in a particular school - much of this information is taken from the advice of staff in schools, support services, therapy and health services as well as other agencies and professionals - usually through the annual review process,
• The impact the placement of a pupil may have on the education of other pupils at the school, and
• The efficient and effective use of council resources.

What if the council names a primary school which is not the preferred option of parents?

Assistant Education Officers are able to discuss parent's/carer's preferences for a child by telephone if the parent rings them directly – see contact details in the Important Contacts Section. After the school has been named in the Statement parents/carers are able to contact the Assistant Education Officer to discuss the reasons for the council naming the school in Part 4 of the Statement.

If necessary a meeting may be arranged to discuss the Statement further if parents/carers are still not happy with the school named in the Statement. In parallel to this parents/carers are advised in the letter which is issued with the amended Statement how to appeal to the SEN & Disability Tribunal (this needs to be within 8 weeks of the statement being issued) and/or for the matter to be referred to the Disagreement Resolution Service - a less formal process. In addition parents/carers may also wish to seek support or advice from Tameside’s Parent Partnership Service which can be contacted on 0161 342 3383.

What should parents consider when deciding on their preference for a primary school?

Parents who have gone through this process already have found the following information/sources of information helpful:

• Most children with special educational needs attend mainstream schools
• All mainstream primary schools in Tameside receive resources, training, and support in meeting the needs of children with special educational needs - including those who have a statement
• The aims and plans of the Council and its schools are set out in "Inclusion: A Statement of Intent" which can be read on the Council website or obtained from any school
• Each year some pupils transfer from one ‘type’ of special school/specialist provision to another ‘type’ depending on their current special educational needs, recent progress, levels of attainment, etc.
• Pupils with a Statement are not automatically entitled to assistance with home to school travel. Parents/carers therefore need to consider travel arrangements to and from school when they decide on their preferred school. Assistance with travel between home and school, where necessary, is subject to Tameside’s Transport Policy.
• The Parent Partnership Service can provide advice and support to parents/carers as they are considering and/or speaking to the council about their preferred school.

Mainstream or special school?

The council would normally name a local primary school in a Statement of SEN unless there are specific reasons why a local school would not be able to meet the child’s SEN.

Where the council names a placement in a mainstream school it may well specify specialist resourced provision in a mainstream school. Resourced provision for a small number of children is available at:

• The Heys
• Russell Scott
• Oakfield
• Buckton Vale

All have resourced provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

St John Fisher has resourced provision for pupils with significant social and communication difficulties/ASD.

Linden Road has resourced provision for pupils with significant hearing impairments.

Children must have a Statement to access resourced provision.

Where the needs of a child are particularly significant or complex the council may place a child at a primary special school:

• Oakdale School – for children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties
• Dale Grove School (Primary Centre) – for children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
• Hawthorns School – for children with significant moderate learning difficulties

Children must have a Statement to access this provision.

Further help and advice

Should you have any questions or concerns about your child which may result from a special educational need, contact Inclusive Services on 0161 342 2206/3750.

Tameside Parent Partnership Service

What is the role of the Parent Partnership Service?

The service is available for any Tameside parents whose child/ren has or may be identified as having SEN.

Tameside Parent Partnership Service aims to encourage and develop partnership between parents, schools, the local education authority and all other partners who are involved in working to identify, assess and meet the special educational needs of children. The service offers impartial information, guidance and support to parents of children who have special/additional educational needs. The service is available for parents of children/young people with additional needs, including the very young (0-19 years).

Range of support

The range and duration of support will vary dependent on the individual needs of the case. Parents are always welcome to seek further assistance from the service.

How to make a referral

Primarily the service operates by a parent ‘self-referral’ process. However, on occasions it may be considered appropriate for a professional to make contact with the service on behalf of the parent.

The service will act upon such requests only on the full understanding that parental consent has been given.

Our work with parents will be done in a way which promotes the following principles and values:

• Equality - The service operates an open access policy. It aims to ensure that all parents have the same ease of access and are not restricted for any reason. The intention being to remove any barriers (real or perceived) e.g. disability, cultural or language differences. The service listens to parents’ views and values parents’ contribution and feelings.
• Impartiality - The intention is to provide information to enable parents to make their own informed choices. It is not the role of the service to give direct advice concerning an individual child, but to remain impartial in respect of information and support it provides.
• Confidentiality - Client confidentiality is respected. Information will be shared only with the understanding and consent of the parents.
• Independence - The service can ‘signpost’ parents to alternative sources of support.

Tameside Parent Partnership Service

Council Offices, Wellington Road
Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, OL6 6DL

Tel: 0161 342 3383
Fax: 0161 342 3305
Send a Message to the Parent Partnership Service