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Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

How do I get support for an SLCN child?

Early Years settings

For Communication and Interaction Team (C and I) support into an Early Years Setting, please use the modified C and I Early Years Request for Access form:
Early Years: request for access
This will continue, whilst we review Early Years service models in partnership with Early Years consultants, Nursery Plus and the early Years Complex Needs teams.

Primary and secondary settings

Support from the Communication and Interaction Team for school aged children (Reception onwards) continues via the newly established C and I advisory clinic model, forming part of a new triage process to requests for support. Setting staff (SENCo) should now (from Nov 2021) use the new RfA (Request for Access) form:
Primary and Secondary: request for access
This is used for access to all SEND support teams. This will then lead to a booking into a virtual C and I advisory clinic appointment (hosted via Microsoft TEAMs, video enabled) to discuss a specific child where Communication and Interaction (Autism and or Speech Language and Communication Needs) has been identified as the Primary Need requiring advice and guidance.

You will be asked to submit:

  • Parent or carer consent (essential to proceed with advisory engagement)
  • School based plan
  • Graduated response tool – C and I assessment indicator section
  • Desired outcomes being sought from this request

The above will both inform, guide and support advisory advice offered.

Virtual clinics are held weekly throughout the term in 4 localities for school based staff only. Advisory clinic attendance only open to setting staff (SENCo and teacher and learning support staff) who’s attendance will support attendance, engagement and progress for children and young people (CYP).

Please be mindful that there remains a limited availability to these C and I advisory clinics for our County wide settings to access. Where you might hold larger cohorts of CYP with identified needs, please do not block book clinic appointments. But instead discuss priorities with your locality C and I advisory teacher so access to C and I clinics remains for everyone.


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