Waltham Forest Special Educational Needs
The Waltham Forest SEN Team works in partnership with parents, teachers and other professionals to ensure that the special educational needs of children who may need a statutory assessment are identified, assessed and provided for.
A few parents will need some help in getting their child to school because of their child's special educational needs. Travel assistance is considered on the individual needs of the child in accordance with the local authority's Travel Policy.
Waltham Forest Parent Partnership Service offers impartial information and support for parents of children with Special Educational Needs.
For more information download the SEN Parents Guidebook (2.20MB PDF file
The Special Educational Needs Graduated Approach
Some children find it much harder to learn than other children of the same age. They may need extra help in school or nursery. These children are said to have special educational needs.
It is important to identify these needs as soon as possible. Teachers continually check the progress children are making and will adapt their teaching for children having difficulties.
A very few children will have very severe or complex difficulties which require a detailed multi-disciplinary assessment by the local authority which may lead to a statement of special educational needs. Most children with special educational needs have their needs met in their local school, without the need for a statement.
The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice gives guidance to schools and the local authority on how they should provide help for children. The Department for Children Schools and Families publish a booklet for parents explaining special educational needs called ‘Special Educational Needs a Guide for Parents’ (837KB PDF file) or you can obtain a free copy from the department by ringing 0845 60 222 60.
Every Child Matters: Change for Children
This is a new approach to ensure the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:
- be healthy,
- stay safe,
- enjoy and achieve,
- make a positive contribution,
- achieve economic well-being.
This means that the organisations involved with providing services to children - from hospitals and schools, to police and voluntary groups - will be teaming up in new ways, sharing information and working together, to protect children and young people from harm and help them achieve what they want in life. Children and young people will have far more say about issues that affect them as individuals and collectively.
From April 2008 every local authority will be working with its partners, through children services to find out what works best for children and young people in its area and planning how to provide the services that best meet needs. A significant development currently taking place in Waltham Forest is the establishment of a multi-agency children’s service. Many services for children and their families that have traditionally been provided by education, social services and health will be coming together into a new single service. Schools will remain self governing bodies as they are at present.
The local authority Children and Young People Service in partnership with schools will continue to develop provision that is well-matched to individual need, and continue to ensure that children with special educational needs are educated in mainstream settings wherever possible, while maintaining special schools for those children with the most complex needs. We aim to work closely with parents in developing plans for children with special educational needs and remain committed to the principal that children and young people should also contribute to these plans wherever possible.
Contact us
SEN Team
1st Floor, Wood Street Health Centre
Linford Road
London E17 3LA
Tel: 020 8496 6503/6505
Email senteam@walthamforest.gov.uk
