Specialist Help
Specialist Support for Pupils with SEND
Our school works closely with a range of external agencies that can provide specialist support when required. In all cases, we have named professionals within these services whom we can contact for advice and guidance.
Support may include visits to school, during which observations can take place, alongside discussions with staff and meetings with parents. It may also involve advice and consultation via email or telephone, as well as targeted training for staff where appropriate.
Referrals to external agencies are always coordinated by the SENDCo, following discussions with both staff and parents/carers. They are made only with the full involvement and consent of parents/carers, ensuring a collaborative approach to meeting the child’s needs.
We receive support and advice from a range of external services and specialist teams to support the needs of our pupils and their families.
These include:
- Sandwell Inclusion Support, providing advice, assessment and training in areas such as learning, behaviour, social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as support for pupils with hearing or visual impairments
- Family Support Services/Family Hubs
- Children’s Services
- Sandwell Children's Safeguarding Partnership
- Autism West Midlands
- Barnardos
- Helping Hands
- Strengthening Families
- Early Years Family Support Services
- Looked After Children (LAC) Service
- Sandwell School Nursing Team
- Sandwell Transport Services
- Sandwell BEAM Counselling Service
- CAMHs Services
- Children's Therapy Services
These services work in partnership with the school to ensure that pupils receive appropriate support, and that families are supported effectively where additional needs are identified.
Our SENDCo maintains ongoing professional communication with all external agencies involved with a child and will initiate contact where additional specialist input is required. External professionals regularly visit Sacred Heart Primary School to review pupils with SEND and to ensure that appropriate and effective provision is in place.
The school works in close partnership with these agencies to support accurate assessment, planning and intervention. All external practitioners are required to have appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance before working with or accessing pupils in school, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are fully followed at all times.
Complex Communication & Autism Team (CCAT) Supports children and young people who are being assessed for, or already have, a diagnosis of autism or communication difficulties. The team provides specialist advice, strategies and training to support communication, interaction and learning.
Speech & Language Therapy Service (SALT) Offers assessment and targeted intervention for children with significant speech, language and communication needs. Therapists work closely with school staff to develop communication skills and support access to learning.
Sandwell School Nursing Service Supports pupils with medical needs, including the management of health conditions and the administration of prescribed medication. They also provide advice, care planning and staff training where required.
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) Provides specialist assessment and support for children and young people experiencing emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.
Occupational Therapy Service Supports children and young people with physical, sensory or developmental difficulties that affect their independence, fine motor skills, and daily living or self-care tasks.
Physiotherapy Service Provides assessment and intervention for children with physical difficulties affecting movement, posture, coordination and mobility, helping them to access the curriculum as fully as possible.