Management Information Sheet
SEND Core Consultation Pilots - Phase 2
Overview
As the first phase of Core Consultations draws to a close, we are very pleased to report on the success of the Pilot in respect of how helpful schools have found the meetings, and their increased confidence in approaches to meeting the needs of pupils in their schools.
Over 120 primary and secondary schools volunteered to take part in the first round of Core Consultations. Meetings have been held (or are planned before Christmas) with well over 100 schools; ratings average 4.9 (on a 1 - 5 scale where 5 is high) for how helpful the schools have found the meetings.
As part of Norfolk's Area SEND Strategy and Norfolk County Council's SEND & Alternative Provision Transformation Programme (MI Sheet: 74/19), the second phase of SEND Core Consultations will begin in January 2020 to increase the support available to schools and colleges to better meet the needs of children at SEN Support.
Those schools included in the initial pilot have follow-up meetings set for the spring term and do not need to apply again.
Phase 2 - Spring term 2020
The Core Consultations will provide information and support in the following ways:
- Offer face to face core consultations to state-funded schools and colleges in Norfolk
- Discuss issues around individual children and related whole school SEN issues and inclusive practice
- Provide detailed recommendations on interventions and strategies to support individual children and young people's needs
- Provide support and professional challenge to ensure a graduated and collaborative approach in meeting children's needs and removing barriers to inclusion
- Signposting schools to other services as part of Norfolk's local offer of support
Methodology
Visits by Norfolk County Council SEND specialists will be offered free of charge. At these meetings schools and colleges will be invited to discuss children about whom they are concerned. Advice will be offered on ways of identifying and addressing their needs, together with suggestions on evidenced-based approaches to supporting children and young people with SEND.
These meetings are intended to provide a focal point for ensuring that schools and colleges receive coordinated support from a wide range of partners and are complementary to the support available via the Virtual School SEND, Inclusion Helpline, SRB Programme including the Dyslexia Outreach Service, S2S Support, Educational Psychology & Specialist Support (EPSS) and Educator Solutions.
Visits can take place on an individual or group school basis according to your needs.
Next steps
Core Consultations are running through the academic year 2019-20.
Would you like a free visit from our specialists to help with any concerns? If so, please just drop us a brief email to Joan McLauchlan, joan.mclauchlan@norfolk.gov.uk and we will be in touch to arrange the visit. Visits will be from January 2020.
The deadline for schools to express an interest is Friday 10 January 2020.
Norfolk Area SEND Strategy and Norfolk County Council SEND & AP Transformation Programme