The Local Offer provided by Northumberland County Council
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice (2015) states that Local Authorities must provide information about provision, referred to as the “Local Offer”. This means that Local Authorities must publish, in one place, information about what to expect and what services are available for children and young people (aged 0-25 years) with SEND and their parents/carers.
The Local Offer must include information about local provision, as well as information about provision outside the area which the Local Authority expects is likely to be used by children and young people with SEND for whom they are responsible.
The Local Offer has two key purposes:
· to provide clear, comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date information about the available provision and how to access it; and
· to make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving SEND and their parents/carers and service providers in its development and review.
The success of the Local Offer depends upon full engagement with children, young people and their parents. Further, it ensures that there is quality provision provided to those with SEND in schools, colleges and other educational provision.
For more details about the Northumberland Local Offer please click here.
Further documentation about SEND and the Local Offer can be found:
· SEND, Code of Practice (2015) click here
· Equality Act (2010) Equality Act 2010 click here
Northumberland Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
Northumberland offers support to families of children and young people with SEND through IASS, who offer a free and confidential service, providing impartial information and advice.
IASS can help parents/carers by:
· improving your understanding of the special educational needs system;
· listening to your concerns;
· helping you to express your views;
· helping you to prepare for meetings and attending them with you, if required;
· helping you with the paperwork;
· helping explore the options for a child or young person’s education; or
· putting you in touch with other support organisations.
For further information from Northumberland County Council about IASS for children and young people with SEND click here.
IASS is a self-referral service: Email: iass@northumberland.gov.uk;
Telephone: 01670 623555
A pupil may be identified with SEND for a number of reasons, including but not limited to having:
· significant difficulty with learning and making far less than expected progress;
· a specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia/dyscalculia;
· emotional or mental health difficulties;
· difficulties with social communication and interaction; or
· sensory and/or physical needs, for example, visual impairment.
Northburn Primary School’s Offer
Every pupil is unique and we celebrate diversity and interests, aiming to make a positive difference to enable everyone to fulfil their personal goals at school and beyond. The individuality of every pupil is valued and celebrated regardless of race, culture or religious beliefs, or abilities or needs. All staff are committed to providing a varied, balanced and rich curriculum with high expectations and differentiated learning for individual pupils where appropriate, with barriers to learning removed to ensure the broad needs of all our pupils can be met fully. Alongside this, staff work closely with other professionals from education, health and care services, and with pupils themselves and their parents/carers to ensure they are central to any decision making thereby nurturing successful citizens of the future.
Contacts
If you have any queries or concerns, please let us know by contacting the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENCO) or make an appointment to see the SENCO or the Headteacher. We want to work with you and support your child in their best interests to help them achieve.
Miss Lucy Dawson: Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENCO) ldawson@northburnprimary.co.uk
Mrs Clare Scott: Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Leader
Miss Natalie Harrison: Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leader