{"id":15526,"date":"2022-08-10T11:22:53","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T10:22:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/?page_id=15526"},"modified":"2025-09-30T08:02:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T07:02:32","slug":"request-for-access-to-send-support-guidance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/request-for-access-to-send-support-guidance\/","title":{"rendered":"Request for access to SEND support &#8211; guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#new-online-request-for-access-rf-a-process\">New online request for access (RfA) process<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#schools-legal-duties-relating-to-special-educational-needs-and-disability-send\">Schools&#8217; legal duties relating to special educational needs and disability (SEND)<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#a-graduated-approach\">A Graduated Approach<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-support-is-available-for-schools\">What support is available for schools<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-sen-support-outreach-service-ssos\">The SEN Support Outreach Service (SSOS)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-do-schools-request-support\">How do schools request support?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-68db8085583a8\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2022-08-10T11:22:53+00:00\">10\/08\/2022 11:22am<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-09-30T08:02:32+00:00\">30\/09\/2025 8:02am<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-68db808558418\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EZDQRuKIy3lNpGogw02u_iUBKUih_iYN6bn7IQUPVCeyyQ?e=1ia86Y\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>Parental consent form (Document)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new-online-request-for-access-rf-a-process\">New online request for access (RfA) process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following feedback from SENCos and the advisory teams, we have updated, amended and reformatted the SEND RfA form to an online format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please use this new form to request SEND support for primary and secondary pupils with immediate effect and discard and delete all old paper or web versions.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a onclick=\"dataLayer.push({&amp;apos;buttonEvent&amp;apos;: &amp;apos;Information page&amp;apos;});\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/Access-To-SEND\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Make a request for access to SEND support<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a onclick=\"dataLayer.push({&amp;apos;buttonEvent&amp;apos;: &amp;apos;Information page&amp;apos;});\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/EZDQRuKIy3lNpGogw02u_iUBKUih_iYN6bn7IQUPVCeyyQ?e=1ia86Yef\" rel=\"noopener\">Download the parental consent form<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Amendments include requesting more specific details around current needs and provision, which will support our triaging process and ensure the most effective support is given to schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your RfA needs to be redirected to a different team or agency to meet the needs and outcomes you&#8217;ve outlined, we will do our best to signpost you to, and connect you with, the team or agency best placed to support you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rest assured there are \u2018save\u2019 and \u2018print\u2019 functions, allowing you to return and store your submission.&nbsp;The \u2018save\u2019 function will generate a link to return to your RfA, but be aware this link may go into your \u2018junk\u2019 folder?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following RfA submission and triage by SEND advisory teams, all team engagement models remain unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope you too feel the benefits of a more efficient and effective RfA system, but please <a href=\"mailto:educate.educationlearnersupport-mailbox@devon.gov.uk\">feedback your experience via email.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"schools-legal-duties-relating-to-special-educational-needs-and-disability-send\">Schools&#8217; legal duties relating to special educational needs and disability (SEND)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All schools have clear duties in regard to the support of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEN and Disability Code of Practice 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools must \u2018have regard\u2019 to the code. This means that they should do what it says or be able to explain why they have not done so, and what alternative action has been taken. The law is underpinned by the principle that where a parent of a child with SEN, or a young person with SEN, wants a place in a mainstream setting, this must not be denied on the basis that mainstream education is unsuitable, or that their needs or disabilities are too great or complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools must put provision in place for learners with SEND. They must take into account all of the learner\u2019s needs. Provision will be put in place for presenting needs and this should be done as early as possible and with or without a formal diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One key duty under the Code of Practice is that schools must use their best endeavours to support learners with special educational needs and\/or disabilities. This means doing everything that could reasonably be expected of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This legal duty sits with the Governing Body and applies to all those identified with SEN, not just those with an EHCP (section 66 of the Children and Families Act 2014). Under this duty the Governing Body must enquire and ensure that the school is actually making available to SEN provision the learner requires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-graduated-approach\">A Graduated Approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The graduated approach involves a four step cycle of asses, plan, do, review. This process starts at the whole school level. Teachers are continually assessing, planning, implementing and reviewing their approach to teaching all children, making adaptations where needed. These small changes and adaptations should be informed by the schools\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/ordinarily-available-inclusive-provision\/\">ordinarily available inclusive provision offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/ordinarily-available-inclusive-provision\/targeted\/\">Targeted Support Framework (TSF)<\/a> is designed to support schools and settings to implement a robust graduated approach for children and young people who need support that is \u2018different from or additional to\u2019 ordinarily available inclusive education. It is intended to support all staff, including class teachers, to consider the needs and barriers to learning a child and young person may be experiencing and plan and deliver effective support to meet these needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-support-is-available-for-schools\">What support is available for schools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometime schools may feel that they need additional support in implementing the graduated response or need some further support to ensure children and young people with SEND are making progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Devon, schools can refer to the SEND and Inclusion Specialist Advisory Teams who are highly experienced teachers with additional qualifications in one or more areas of SEND.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The SEND and Inclusion Specialist Advisory Teams support schools and settings in identifying and removing barriers for children and young people with a wide range of needs. They work as part of the Multidisciplinary Team Around the Child and contribute to the creation and implementation of statutory and non-statutory plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The service provides specialist support, teaching and advice to schools, settings, parents and professionals for learners with SEND. They work with children and young people from birth to 19 years of age supporting their development, learning, achievement, safety and wellbeing. The teams promote inclusion; developing strategies for access to the curriculum and independent learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The SEND and Inclusion Specialist Advisory Teams offer support across the areas of need outlined in the Code of Practice under:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/communication-and-interaction\/\">Communication and interaction<\/a> (autism and speech, language and communication needs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/social-emotional-and-mental-health\/\">Social emotional and mental health <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/\">Sensory and physical<\/a>, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/send-it\/\">ICT SEND<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cognition and learning (through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/cognition-and-learning\/devon-spld\/\">Devon SpLD (Dyslexia) Service<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The SEND and Inclusion Specialist Advisory Teams operate a three-tiered approach to supporting the needs of learners across Devon.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"dcc-infographic-block\" id=\"block_acf-block-68db808558438\"><img decoding=\"async\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"longdesc-return-15620\" longdesc=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings?longdesc=15620&#038;referrer=15526\" aria-describedby=\"longdesc-link-wp-image-15620\" width=\"586\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/SEND-three-tiered-approach-to-supporting-needs-of-learners.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15620\" alt=\"Blue triangle with blue, green and pink blocks to the right hand side\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/SEND-three-tiered-approach-to-supporting-needs-of-learners.png 586w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/SEND-three-tiered-approach-to-supporting-needs-of-learners-300x266.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 586px) 100vw, 586px\" longdesc=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings?longdesc=15620&amp;referrer=15526\" id=\"longdesc-return-15620\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Many learners\u2019 needs are able to be met through a consultation clinic combining universal and targeted provision. Talking school staff through various practical strategies and signposting to useful resources to support their QFT teaching and planning. Typically, consultation clinics are being undertaken virtually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some learners will benefit from further observation and discussion within the school or classroom setting. In these cases a specialist advisory teacher will make direct contact with the school to arrange a suitable time to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-sen-support-outreach-service-ssos\">The SEN Support Outreach Service (SSOS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This support is available for those learners who have identified needs at SEN Support. The child or young person will have needs that fall into the category of attachment, autism or SEMH and will be beginning to escalate with schools raising concerns around progress, access or response to provision in place or further support required to implement strategies at a universal and targeted level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The SEND and inclusion specialist advisory teachers will determine whether allocation of this resource is appropriate on an individual case basis. Where this is identified, a specialist support assistant will work alongside existing school staff to model and develop strategies to meet the child or young person\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-do-schools-request-support\">How do schools request support?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Learners needs will be best met through a robust cycle of assess, plan, do, review, as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice (2015). We are able to advise and support schools with this approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order for us to triage and allocate the most appropriate support offer to you we need a certain amount of information. Please concentrate on the presenting issues. We request that you provide the following information with your request form:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>parental consent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>completed assessment indicator section from the graduated response tool (for the relevant area)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>current school-based plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once completed the primary and secondary request for access forms can be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/Access-To-SEND\/\" rel=\"noopener\">submitted online via this link <\/a>and the early years downloadable form should be sent to <a href=\"mailto:send@devon.gov.uk\">send@devon.gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact will be made with the school within two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"dcc-infographic-block\" id=\"block_acf-block-68db808558447\"><img decoding=\"async\" tabindex=\"-1\" id=\"longdesc-return-15618\" longdesc=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings?longdesc=15618&#038;referrer=15526\" aria-describedby=\"longdesc-link-wp-image-15618\" width=\"669\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/How-do-schools-request-support-2-1-e1660235440858-669x600.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15618\" alt=\"Flow chart with three down arrows in blue, green and orange with text to the right hand side\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/How-do-schools-request-support-2-1-e1660235440858-669x600.png 669w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/How-do-schools-request-support-2-1-e1660235440858-640x574.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/How-do-schools-request-support-2-1-e1660235440858-300x269.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/How-do-schools-request-support-2-1-e1660235440858-768x689.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/08\/How-do-schools-request-support-2-1-e1660235440858.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px\" longdesc=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings?longdesc=15618&amp;referrer=15526\" id=\"longdesc-return-15618\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill button\"><a onclick=\"dataLayer.push({&amp;apos;buttonEvent&amp;apos;: &amp;apos;Information page&amp;apos;});\" class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/Access-To-SEND\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Make a request for access to SEND support<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New online request for access (RfA) process Following feedback from SENCos and the advisory teams, we have updated, amended and reformatted the SEND RfA form [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2471,"featured_media":0,"parent":9632,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-15526","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":null,"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-17 09:46:43","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2471"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15526"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15526\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34138,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15526\/revisions\/34138"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}