Special Educational Needs and Disability
The Waltham Forest Local Offer
Please also visit the link below to see the Local Authority SEND Local Offer.
Local Offer: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Flourish Specialist Education Services delivers specialist outreach services to our school and provides support, training and guidance as required.
At Chapel End, we believe that every child matters and as such we have high expectations of all members of our school community. We work in partnership with parents to ensure that everyone has equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum that reflects their individual needs and equips them for the future. We recognise that all children are individuals and we encourage our children to develop at an appropriate pace, with the appropriate level of support.
Our Inclusion Manager, Karen Wishart has completed the National Award for SENCO and is highly experienced in supporting children and families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Mrs Wishart leads our inclusive practice across the school and supports our staff to meet the needs of all our pupils. If you wish to contact Mrs Wishart to discuss your child’s needs, please call our Early Years Centre on 020 8527 9192 or email the school office: school@chapelend-inf.waltham.sch.uk
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best people to talk to about children with SEND in our school?
Our SENDCo is responsible for coordinating support for children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). She works with staff and parents to ensure that children with SEND receive high quality support in school. Please make an appointment to see Mrs Wishart, our SENDCo if you would like to discuss your child’s special educational needs.
Your child’s class teacher is responsible for providing high quality teaching and monitoring the progress your child is making. They will identify, plan and often deliver any additional support your child may need. They will also work closely with the SENDCo.
The headteacher is responsible for the day to day management of all aspects of the school, including the support for children with SEND.
How can I let the school know I am concerned about my child’s progress in school?
If you have concerns about your child’s progress you should speak first of all to your child’s class teacher and share your concerns as early as possible. This will enable the class teacher to address your concerns and provide appropriate support where required.
If you are not happy that your concerns are being heard and you believe that your child is still not making progress you should speak to the SENCo.
If you are still not happy you can speak to the Headteacher or SEND Link Governor.
How will the school let me know if they have any concerns about my child’s learning in school?
At Chapel End, we recognise that early intervention and support is paramount in supporting your child’s development. Their progress is carefully monitored as part of our regular pupil progress cycle.
If your child is identified as not making progress or is believed to have additional needs, the class teacher will set up a meeting to discuss this with you in more detail and to:
- listen to any concerns you may have
- plan any additional support your child may require
- discuss with you any possible referrals to outside professionals to support your child’s learning.
This information will be shared with the SENCo who will be able to support both the child, yourselves and class teacher if required.
How will teaching be adapted for my child with SEND?
Class Teachers are responsible for planning lessons according to the specific needs of all groups of children in their class, and will ensure that your child’s needs are met through effective differentiation.
Trained support staff can also adapt the teacher’s planning to support the needs of your child where necessary to ensure further differentiation if required for your child.
Specific resources and strategies, which may include additional adults, will be used to support your child individually and in groups.
Planning and teaching will be adapted on a daily basis if needed to meet your child’s learning needs.
Smaller focused teaching groups in reading, writing and maths may be provided for children who are identified as needing additional support.
For some children 1:1 programmes are required to support their continued development and progress.
My child has Special Educational Needs and/or a Disability and I want them to come to your school, what should I do?
We are an inclusive school and we welcome all children. In order to ensure the school can provide the right provision for your child, please contact Mrs Wishart - Inclusion Manager via the school office on the following contact details: 020 8527 9192 / school@chapelend-inf.waltham.sch.uk. Mrs Wishart wil then meet with you to discuss your child's needs and to talk through next steps. It is also beneficial to undertake a tour of the school and we recommend arranging that alongside your visit with Mrs Wishart.
Waltham Forest SENDIASS
Waltham Forest SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) aims to help parents/carers, children, young people and professional staff to work together to provide the best possible support to children and young people with SEND. Waltham Forest SENDIASS aims to promote good working relationships between children, young people, parents, education settings and the local authority (Council), whilst seeking to empower parents to play an active and informed role in their child’s education. Click here to watch the clip - What is an information and support service.
Being a parent/carer to a child with disabilities or with special educational needs can become a stressful experience when you can't find the information, advice or support you need.
Our main aims are to give you the skills and knowledge to feel confident managing meetings and relationships, and to understand what you need to do and when. We do that by giving you clear, straightforward information about your options. We can also help you to stand back from a situation and think more broadly, or help you to focus on what’s important for you and your child. Click here to watch the clip - What they are / how they can help?
Information and Resources
We have an online library of resources that you can access to find out more about disability policy and practice which includes a selection of materials specifically written with parents in mind. You may find the following resources a good starting point:
- Parent carer guide to the Code of Practice
- Disabled Children: A Legal Handbook
- Directory of national helplines and support services for parents
- Expert Parent Programme
- A family guide to the SEN system
- My Rights, Your Responsibility leaflets
- Requirements to provide Health Advice within six weeks
Where to go for advice and support
Navigating the often complex public services put in place to help your child can be confusing and stressful. Waltham Forest SENDIASS can offer support in a number of ways, including by telephone, email, face to face at our offices, in a school setting or in the community. Please visit the contact us page for more information.
Other organisations for Parents/Carers
Waltham Forest Parent Forum
Waltham Forest Parent Forum are a friendly, formal voluntary group of parents and carers of disabled children and young people aged from 0 to 25 in Waltham Forest. Their aim is to provide feedback on the development and direction of services for disabled children and young people in the borough to key policy makers in the borough and to support families through sharing experiences and building networks.
For more information on events, opportunities and how to become a member, please visit their website.
Waltham Forest - Education, Health and Care Plan
Most children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) go to mainstream nurseries, schools and colleges. However, if after two termly reviews, you’re unhappy with your child’s progress, you can request an assessment for an Education, Health and Care plan. Find out who can ask for an assessment and how, and how we decide if it’s necessary. Click here for further details.
What is an Education, Health and Care plan?
An Education, Health and Care plan (‘EHC plan’) is a legal document. It sets out a child / young person’s special educational needs, the support they need, and what they’d like to achieve. It covers birth to 25 years (if a young person stays in education).
The following can request an assessment for an EHC plan:
- Your child’s school or nursery
- A health professional or other person involved with your child
- A parent, carer, foster parent
- A young person aged 16 or over and still in education
Contact - For families with disabled children
Help for families
For every shape and size of family, whatever they need and whatever their child’s disability, we’re here. We provide online, printed and helpline advice on education, benefits and finances, childcare, social care, medical information and more. Click here for further details.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:
- behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends
- reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia
- ability to understand things
- concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD
- physical ability
Who to talk to
If you think your child may have special educational needs, contact the SEN co-ordinator, or ‘SENCO’ in your child’s school or nursery. Contact your local council if your child is not in a school or nursery. Your local Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Service can give you advice about SEND.
Support your child can receive
Your child may be eligible for:
- SEN support - support given in school, like speech therapy
- an education, health and care (EHC) plan - a plan of care for children and young people aged up to 25 who have more complex needs
If you or your child got support before September 2014 this will continue until your local council changes it to an EHC plan.
Click here for further details.
Occupational Therapy Advice
Please see the poster below to access free occupational therapy advice for your child.