SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
At Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School, we are a fully inclusive school where all children are supported to achieve, belong and thrive. We believe every child has an equal right to a broad and balanced curriculum, with high-quality teaching as the foundation of our SEND provision. Where needed, we provide additional and different support to meet individual needs, working closely with families and external professionals to ensure pupils make strong progress academically, socially and emotionally, feel valued and develop a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Inspiring individuals to develop a positive sense of self and the skills for lifelong learning
What is good for pupils with SEND is good for all pupils
All teachers are teachers of SEND; all leaders are leaders of SEND
If you have any comments or questions with regards to SEND, your child’s class teacher if your first port of call.
Our SEND Co-ordinator (SENCo) is Miss Jenny Huxley and she is supported by our Assistant SENCo, Mrs Jo Hansler. Miss Huxley works three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and can be contacted via the school office to discuss any individual needs or concerns.
Our SEN Information Report and Accessibility Plan explain how we support children with SEND, the help available in school, and how we make sure our environment is welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all pupils.
We understand that SEND language can feel complicated at times, so we have included a glossary to explain commonly used terms and acronyms. Link
Here are some resources that you may find useful (Please note Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School is not responsible for the content of external websites, but provides these links as we think they may be useful for our families):
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
(SEND)
The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer
The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer
The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.
Parents | DSPL7
Parents | DSPL7
This website has information for parents and carers. Within the ‘Contact Us’ tab there is a form for registering your details for their mailing list.
(Advice Lines/ DSPL7 Parent Support/ Early Years advice and support/ EBSA Guidance/ Glossary of SEND terms/ Health Services/ Neurodiversity Support Hub/ Parent training and network information/ Part-time Timetables and Suspensions/ Post 16 advice and support/ SEND Online Safety/ Transition support/ Useful Links)
Families First
They are dedicated to helping parents navigate the relationships with social services while ensuring the welfare of their children remains our top priority. Their mission is simple: to keep families together, bring them back together when separated, and foster positive connections.
(Information, advice and guidance on local and national services for families, parents or carers/ Childcare options and much more/ Many of these services are free for families to access).
SPACE Hertfordshire
SPACE Hertfordshire – Supporting families in Hertfordshire | Autism | ADHD | Neurodiversity
Is a voluntary organisation which supports and runs events for families of children and young people who are autistic, or have ADHD or other neurodiverse conditions.
Special Needs Jungle
Special Needs Jungle creates easy to understand resources, articles and information for parents and carers of children with special needs, disabilities and health conditions to better enable them to navigate the special needs system. They aim to inform, educate and empower families to self-advocate confidently, so children get the help they need to live the best life they can.
School Nurses
School nurses in Hertfordshire
The team advise on a range of health issues that can affect a child or young person. They:
- promote physical and mental healthactivities
- help families that need a little extra support, including specific parenting issues, emotional difficulties and coping with long term health conditions.
- work with families with complex needs (including drug and alcohol misuse) together with social care and other health organisations to keep the young person safe and healthy.
Autism
Ambitious about Autism
Autism Education Trust
Autism Education Trust (AET) has been helping to develop good autism practice.
National Autistic Society
They aim to transform lives and change attitudes to help create a society that works for autistic people.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (and/or Autism)
ADD-vance
A Hertfordshire-based charity that supports families affected by ADHD, Autism or a related condition and the professionals who support them.
Support/ Training/ Conversation (Facebook)/ Coaching/ Additional Support/ Library
Angels Support Group
For Parents/carers with children with ADHD and/or on the Autistic spectrum.
Deafness (Hearing Impairment)
National Deaf Children's Society
Services for families | National Deaf Children’s Society
(Helpline/ Advice and guidance officers/ Education appeals specialists/ My NDCS/ Online events/ Information for families/ Family involvement)
The Phoenix Group
About Us – The Phoenix Group – The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children
They provide a range of support services that include;
- Fun, physical and educational activity programmes for families, children, teenagers and young adults
- Teaching of life skills such as travel training and cooking
- Accessible (BSL) Workshops and courses for parents and carers
- Teach British Sign Language
- Deaf Awareness training
- Advocacy support
- Individual support
Speech, Language and Communication Needs
Speech and Language Therapy
Information for parents – Speech and language therapy | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
The children and young people’s (CYP) speech and language therapy service offers a child- and family-centred approach to support CYP with speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) and those with eating and drinking difficulties in Hertfordshire.
We work in partnership with parents, carers, health and education professionals to promote positive outcomes for CYP. Our service model aims to reduce the gap and inequalities amongst CYP in Hertfordshire who have SLCN.
Children and Young People’s Speech and Language Therapy Advice Line: 01992 823093
If your child is already known to the Speech and Language Service ring: 01992 823193
Michael Palin Centre for Stammering
Michael Palin Centre for Stammering – The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering
They help children, young people and adults who stammer through individually-tailored therapy delivered by highly experienced specialists.
STAMMA
We are STAMMA… Is the largest UK charity and membership organisation representing people who stammer.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy
Information for parents – Physiotherapy | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Our service offers a child and family-centered approach to children and young people from 0-18 years of age who are registered with a GP in Hertfordshire and who have a physical disability or condition that impacts on their development and their functional daily activities at home or in school.
Children’s physiotherapy is a specialist team providing services to children and young people to promote health and preserve and improve the best possible functional level of the child or young person.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Information for parents – Occupational therapy | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
The children’s occupational therapy service offers a child and family-centred approach to support children and young people with their independence in all aspects of daily living, such as self-feeding, dressing and participating in play and school activities. The service is available to children and families across Hertfordshire.
Sensory Processing
Sensory Processing
Information for parents – sensory processing service | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Exciting new three – tiered sensory service to support neurodivergent children and young people (CYP).
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Hertfordshire Mind Network
Services for Young People | Hertfordshire Mind Network
Their aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.
The Sandbox
The Sandbox | Digital Mental Health Service
NHS-funded service to support children and young people in South Staffordshire and Hertfordshire with their mental health and well-being.
Down’s Syndrome
Down's Syndrome
Pathological Demand Avoidance
Steph's Two Girls
Service Directories
Services who provide a combination of interventions and more specialist support for children and young people
Young Carers in Hertfordshire
Young Carers in Hertfordshire
Are you under 18 and help to look after a friend or family member who has an illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction? If so, you could be a young carer.
Young carers in Hertfordshire | Hertfordshire County Council