SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

At St Richard’s we believe that every child matters and each and every child is put first. This is also our vision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We aim to ensure that all children achieve well in their Early Years and throughout the whole school.

The school has a named Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Ms C Dagnall, who has the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination and a named Governor responsible for SEN, Ms Dobson. Ms Dagnall can be contacted through the school office or by email at c.dagnall@st-richards.lancs.sch.uk

On September 1st 2014, a revised Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice was introduced. The reforms aim to implement a new approach which seeks to join up help across education, health and care, from birth to 25.

The revised Code of Practice introduces reforms which will affect how children with SEND are provided for at St Richards. Please click here for a copy of the SEND Code of Practice: 0 – 25.

Under Section 65 (3) (a) of the Code of Practice, all schools are required to publish an SEN Information Report on their school websites.

This report must contain SEN information as is set out in the Schedule, as well as utilising the Local Authority (LA) Local Offer. Consequently, the report should meet the needs of SEN pupils as determined by school policy and the provision that the school is able to determine.

For more information on the reforms and how these may affect your child, please visit the following website http://new.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities.aspx

SEND and Safeguarding

We are aware at St Richard's that children with SEND are more vulnerable to abuse and unable and / or less able to speak out if something isn't right.

Some children may be vulnerable because:

• they have additional communication needs
• they do not understand that what is happening to them is abuse
• they need intimate care or are isolated from others
• they are dependent on others for care.

 Please see the link for the statutory guidance that schools must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.