Special Needs Continued

Identification and Assessment

All children at Head Start are routinely observed and assessed as this ongoing process is
essential to guide planning and appropriate delivery of the curriculum. Should this system raise a concern about an individual child, the parents will be alerted to the fact and a meeting arranged between them and the appropriate staff. Staff will make reference to the Code of Practice and associated guidance on the identification and assessment of Special Educational Needs. A graduated response to meeting those needs will be put into place and can include Early Years Action, Early Years Action Plus or Statement. All children identified with a special educational need will have an Individual Child Plan that is monitored and reviewed.

The Code of Practice stresses the importance of the contribution of the child to their own assessment and where possible their wishes will be taken into account in planning the delivery of the curriculum and specialist equipment.

All records and information held on the child are private and confidential but are available to the parents. Information can be shared with other agencies and subsequent education settings with the prior approval of the parents.

Links with Other Services

Head Start has established good partnerships with other services and is committed to working with those agencies in the best interests of the child. With the consent of the parents, information will be shared, advice sought and taken in order to provide expert care of the child.

Review of the Policy

This document will be reviewed annually by the SENCO to ensure that it meets current legislation and guidance. All staff will be alerted to the content and arrangements will be in place at staff meetings to monitor an evaluate the effectiveness of the policy.