There are a lot of professionals and services that you may hear about or come across when it comes to SEND, all with different names, roles and abbreviations.
We’ve put together some information about professionals who are often involved with children and young people who have, or are suspected to have, SEND. You may also find our jargon buster useful.
Education
Advisory teachers
In Devon we have a team of SEND advisory teachers – some work with schools to adapt teaching and learning to meet the needs of a whole class or group of children and improve SEND provision in general, others who support provision for individual pupils. Your child’s school will need to request this individual support.
Early Years Complex Needs (EYCN) Service
Devon’s Early Years Complex Needs Service is a year-round education-based service for children under five with the most severe and complex developmental needs. The service supports children to achieve success using a small-steps, play-based, child-centred approach.
Early Years SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator)
All early years providers that are funded by the local authority must have regard to the SEND Code of practice which provides statutory guidance on duties, policies and procedures. They are expected to identify a SENDCo.
Maintained nursery schools must identify a member of staff (with Qualified Teacher Status) to act as SENDCo. Childminders are encouraged to identify a person to act as SENDCo.
Educational Psychologists (EPs)
An Educational Psychologist (EP) is trained in psychology and child development. They work in partnership with parent carers, and schools and settings, to understand children and young people’s needs and plan ways to support them.
SEND Statutory Team
The SEND Statutory Team (sometimes called the SEN 0-25 Team) carries out EHC needs assessments and maintains and reviews all EHC plans. They also co-ordinate the writing of EHC plans using information gathered from education, health and care professionals.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo)
A SENDCo or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (also sometimes called a SENCO) is the teacher with responsibility for the planning and monitoring of the special educational provision within a school.
Health
Children and Family Health Devon
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) provides integrated care and treatment for both physical and mental health for children, young people and their families in Devon. Their website also contains lots of useful information.
CAMHS
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provide help for children and young people in Devon (excluding Plymouth) who may be experiencing problems with their emotional or psychological wellbeing or mental health.
Health Visitors
Health visitors are there to support you and your child through their early years. Find out more about Devon’s Health Visiting Service and the support they can offer on our Health for Under 5’s website.
School Nurses
The School Nursing Service provides information and support to school-aged children and their families who live in Devon or who attend a Devon school.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapy can help children and young people with physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive and social needs that affect their daily life.
Speech and Language Therapists
The Speech and Language Therapy Team at Children and Family Health Devon offer advice and support with speech, language and communication needs.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability.
Paediatricians
A doctor who has special training in the medical care of children.
ROVICs
The ROVIC (Re/Habilitation Officer for Visually Impaired Children) service supports children with vision and Deafblind/Dual sensory impairment.
Social Care
Adult Social Care
Devon County Council’s Adult Social Care service aims to support adults Devon to stay healthy, happy and independent. Support is available to young adults with support needs (aged 16 upwards).
Disabled Children’s Service
The Disabled Children’s Service (DCS) provides a range of support and services to disabled children, young people and their families across Devon.
Social Workers
Social workers support people to improve their chances in life. They also help to protect vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and support people to live independently.
Transitions Adult Social Care Team (TASC)
Young people aged 16 to 18 who have additional support needs then you may be eligible for support from our Transitions Adult Social Care Service.
Advice and support
DiAS
DiAS (Devon Information and Advice Service), offers a confidential, impartial and free service to support, parents, carers, children and young people in Devon about SEND issues.
Family Hubs
Family Hubs are a new way of bringing together all the support a family may need. They are a central point of access for all families, including those with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), up to age 25. Find out more about Devon Family Hubs.
Parent Carer Forum Devon
Parent Carer Forum Devon (PCFD) are a group of parents and carers of disabled children who work with local authorities, education, health and other providers to make sure the services they plan and deliver meet the needs of disabled children and families.