Mrs Wright is our Designated Teacher for Looked after Children and also our SENCO. She works closely with all staff to ensure everyone understands the needs and necessary provision for those children who are Looked After and have SEN.
Looked After Children
Our school recognises there are particular groups of pupils whose circumstances require additional consideration by those who work with them to support their SEN. Mrs Wright works closely with all staff, parents and carers and our children to ensure everyone understands the needs of Children who are Looked After. Through termly Personal Learning Plans and PEP reviews the learning of Looked After pupils who also have SEN is reviewed regularly and necessary intervention and support is planned and delivered,
To ensure a supportive and positive induction for all Looked After Children who join our school, we plan a bespoke package of support which meet their needs. For children who have SEN, this package is extended to include the previous and current learning plans and support from the previous setting. Individual’s support is planned using the knowledge of the team who are supporting the family (including their Social Worker and staff from their previous setting) and the needs and wants of the child, depending on their age. Some examples of possible support includes:
- Children and their carers visiting the school to meet with the Head Teacher (who is also the Designated Teacher) and our Senior Mental Health Lead
- Further visits to tour the school and meet key staff and peers.
- Planned transition visits to spend increasing time in the classroom and during less structured time (such as play times). These are planned at an appropriate pace and manner for each individual child.
- The Head Teacher and/or the designated teacher will meet with all carers and professionals involved with the child before entry to the school
- If the child has already been in an educational establishment then the Head Teacher will liaise with the Head Teacher, Designed Teacher and/or SENCo of the previous setting to develop an understanding of the child’s needs
- A PEP meeting will be held in the first 10 days of starting the setting to support a smooth handover between settings.
- Planning meetings are held by Cockfield staff to ensure that an appropriate level of support is in place when the child starts.