In line with the proposals set out within the D.F.E.S. Green Paper "Excellence for all Children" and in the subsequent "Programme of Action", Norfolk LEA has sought to develop the role of special schools in order that a greater number of children currently on a special school role are able to access a mainstream school placement and, additionally, to develop support mechanisms from special schools for children with significant levels of need which complement and enhance the range of specialist advice and support available to mainstream schools. These arrangements include outreach support and linked school placements.

The purpose of outreach support is to provide a mainstream school with specialist advice and support primarily in relation to curriculum issues for a named pupil with significant and complex Special Educational Needs. The aim of the intervention is to enable the mainstream school to better support a pupil with significant and complex Special Educational Needs.

The mainstream school will have previously benefited from advice and support from the Norfolk Psychological Service School Support Team. A pupil referred for Outreach support will normally:

• Hold a Statement of Special Educational Needs which reflect needs of complexity; and
• Benefit from a Band E funding allocation.

A specialist teacher will offer advice and support in relation to the pupil identified within the referral. Advice and support will focus primarily upon curriculum issues. If appropriate the specialist teacher may also support the school in the development of I.E.P.s, annual review protocols and access routes to additional support.

The specialist teacher will negotiate and agree with the mainstream school the frequency and nature of the support arrangement. The specialist teacher will provide the mainstream school and LEA staff with written notes of interventions.

The referral for Outreach support will be completed by the Area Statement and Assessment Officer following discussion with the School Support Team. There will be agreement that the child meets the agreed referral criteria. Both child and school context factors will be considered when determining the outcome of a referral for Outreach support. The pupils’ parents will have been fully involved in the discussion in relation to the request for Outreach support and will be in agreement to the referral. New referrals will be discussed at half termly meetings, held at the special school, and mainstream schools notified of the outcome of the referral.

In accordance with the policy of increasing opportunity for children on the role of special schools to benefit from mainstream experience, special school staff will identify, normally through the annual review process those children for whom a linked mainstream placement may be appropriate. The special school inclusion co-ordinator will maintain the responsibility for approaching the mainstream school, co-ordinating the planning of the linked placement to include the support arrangements and review mechanisms. The formalisation of such an arrangement to a dual placement leading to the amendment of the Statement of Special Educational Need will only take place through the annual review process co-ordinated through the Area Statement and Assessment Officer.