Ceredigion County Council website

1. I am worried my child is having difficulties, what can I do?
2. What are my rights and responsibilities?
3. How will the school provide for my child?

I am worried my child is having difficulties, what can I do?

If you think your child may have a difficulty that has not been identified you should talk to their class teacher straight away.

You will be able to chat about your concerns and this will often help to quickly sort out worries and problems.

The closer you work with your child’s teachers, the more successful any help for your child will be. Sometimes, additional support will be needed for your child.

At first, the class teacher will turn to the school ALNCo or Headteacher for advice.

Ceredigion Parent Partnership Service offers information, impartial advice and support on Additional Learning Needs (ALN) for children, young people and families in Ceredigion.

We can: 

• support with information on the ALN Code and on how Ceredigion schools support learners with ALN;
• meet with parents and carers and attend school meetings;
• support on building and maintaining good working relationships with professionals.

We are also committed to supporting families through SNAP Cymru - an all-Wales children's charity who work with families on issues regarding additional learning needs and disabilities. For more information, visit SNAP's website: www.snapcymru.org

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What are my rights and responsibilities?

• you should always ask for advice without delay
• you should be consulted about all the decisions that affect your child
• you have a vital role in supporting your child’s education
• your views should be taken into account
• the school must tell you when they first start giving extra or different help for your child
• you should be consulted about all the decisions that affect your child
• where appropriate the wishes of your child should be listened to
• you are entitled to have a copy of your child’s Individual Development Plan (IDP)
• if you want to talk to someone who is independent and knows about special educational needs, you can get help and advice from the local parent partnership service or, from national or local voluntary organisations.

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How will the school provide for my child?

In Ceredigion, we place great importance on identifying special educational needs as early as possible so that your child can receive the most effective support available.

The Graduated Response recognises that children learn in different ways and have different kinds and levels of special needs and that all teachers are teachers of additional needs.

The Graduated Response contains 3 levels of support or intervention.

Firstly the school will make full use of all available classroom and school resources to make sure your child has every opportunity to be taught the way they learn best.

The school will carefully monitor and review your child’s progress as evidence to show what has been done.

If your child’s progress continues to cause concern additional support and / or expertise can be brought in as part of a continuous cycle of planning, action and review.

Your child might need help through the Graduated Response for just a short time or, for many years.

The range and style of this support can be increased or reduced according to your child’s progress and individual needs.

All Ceredigion schools have access to a range of support services, so that they can identify learners who are having difficulties with their learning and provide them with the additional support.

If your child is not yet in school, please refer to our Nursery Education for 3-4 year olds section.

Where a school or setting feels they need more support, they may contact the local authority ALN service for advice and support from one of the services:

• The Educational Psychology Service
• Advisory Teachers
• Sensory Support team
• Early Years ALN Lead Officer (EYALNLO)
• Post-16 Support

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The SEN Code of Practice ( Wales ) gives guidance for Local Authorities as to how to organise and deliver the best possible provision for pupils with special educational needs.

Ceredigion’s SEN strategy is based on this guidance.

The authority is committed to raising the achievement and narrowing the gap for children and young people with SEN so that they achieve the best possible standards, well-being and long-term life chances.

The authority believes that improving outcomes for pupils and young people with special educational needs is everyone’s responsibility.

It works in partnership with schools, parents and other agencies to ensure that all children in Ceredigion, whatever their need, are valued, experience success in their learning, achieve their potential and personal goals and maximize their chances of a full and meaningful life.

Ceredigion aims to provide:

• an inclusive education as close to home and the local community as possible
• early and accurate assessment of needs
• a broad, balanced and relevant range of learning opportunities
• a range of mainstream, enhanced and specialist provision
• high quality support, advice and training for schools
• timely, accurate and relevant information for parents and carers
• resources and services that are appropriate, effective, equitable, transparent, consistent, efficient and accountable
• access to social and leisure activities within the community

Downloads:

Strategy, Policy and Procedures

Healthcare Needs Policy

The Welsh Government Guidance, ‘Supporting learners with healthcare needs’, places a duty on local authorities and governing bodies to create and maintain effective healthcare needs policies.

This model healthcare needs policy has been prepared for Ceredigion schools and settings to adopt.

This policy has been created through collaboration with head teachers, SEN Coordinators and education settings, parents and carers, health and social services colleagues, adhering closely to the advice contained in the Welsh Government Guidance.

Access to the Welsh Government guidance document can be obtained from the following website address: www.learning.gov.wales

Healthcare Needs Policy