1. What help should schools provide for children who have dyslexia, autism spectrum condition (ASC) and suspected attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
All schools in Devon are expected to support children with dyslexia by using appropriate resources. This is within quality first teaching and resources available to all schools and is covered in teacher training in England. Schools can gain additional training/support from the Devon County Council (DCC) SEND Support Services, who have a team of advisory teachers, to support schools in supporting children with ASC and ADHD.
2. How much money does DCC give to Avanti Hall School for children with special educational needs who do not have education, health and care plan?
Within the school budget share the school receives funding that is identified to support children with Low Cost High Incidence (LCHI) SEN. Avanti Hall School – LCHI SEN with Schools Block for 2022/23 is £157,451.
3. What criteria is used to decide when to make an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment for children who have dyslexia, ASC and suspected ADHD?
When deciding if an EHC needs assessment will be carried out, DCC adhere to the Children and Families Act 2014, Section 36. This section concerns 2 questions of the legal test, ‘may the young person have special educational needs, and may they need special educational provision to meet their needs’. DCC make their decision on evidence submitted and ask does the young person have SEND. If the answer is yes, the next question is, does school understand their needs, are they putting in school resources to meet the need and is the young person making progress. If the answer is again yes, DCC would not proceed to an EHC needs assessment. If the answer is they have SEND, but are not making progress within the support supplied, then DCC would carry out an EHC needs assessment. The legal test is not concerned with diagnosis, only how the SEND needs are presenting.