Willington Primary School’s SEN Hub is an online newsletter to support parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Parent/Carer Information Booklet, it includes information about services and organisations that support families caring for children and young people who have additional needs.
August 2023 Piece of Mind Workshops
Understanding Autism – Raising Awareness
We are all different and that is wonderful! This video (click here) aims to raise awareness among young non-autistic audiences, to stimulate understanding and acceptance in future generations. Have a look with your child.
Rollercoaster Support Group
Rollercoaster are a support group for parents/carers who are supporting a child or young person with any kind of emotional or mental health problem. This may include supporting a child with autism, ADHD, sensory difficulties, bereavement, low self-esteem, school refusal along with many other reasons.
You are not alone! Supporting a child or young person with emotional or mental health issues can be challenging, isolating and sometimes feel like you’re riding a real emotional rollercoaster! Find them on Facebook or https://www.rollercoasterfamilysupport.co.uk/
Parent/Carer Explanation of our Additional Needs Register (AND)
What are the criteria for placement on the ALN Register?
Despite differentiated learning opportunities, reasons can include the pupil:
- Has a standardised score of < 70-95 on a National Test
- Makes little or no progress
- Has difficulty developing literacy and/or numeracy skills
- Has persistent Behaviour/Emotional/Social Difficulties despite behaviour management strategies or an individualised programme
- Makes little or no progress with sensory/physical difficulties despite specialist equipment and/or advice
- Makes little or no progress with communication/interaction despite a differentiated curriculum
- Has additional needs that can be met ‘in-house’ but are still different from or additional to the peer group
- Has achieved National Curriculum levels/Foundation Phase Outcomes substantially lower than expected
- Has ongoing communication issues
- Additional needs significant enough to warrant a diagnosis or referral to/involvement of external agencies or therapeutic services or CCBC specialist/advisory services.
I’m worried about my child being on the ALN Register!
Please don’t worry. Every school has one. It’s a way of ensuring your child gets the support they need. It’s reviewed regularly and if your child makes sufficient progress, they will be removed. Also, it’s confidential. It’s not displayed anywhere. Only those involved in teaching your child have access to all the information on it. Please know that you can make an appointment to discuss your worries/concerns in the first instance with the class teacher at any time.
My child is receiving help – but isn’t on the ALN Register?
Children don’t have to be on the ALN register to receive support. We call some support strategies ‘Early Intervention’ or EI – that is, if we put some support in early enough, it will prevent your child from having to be entered on the ALN register.
My child is on the ALN Register, but doesn’t seem to be having any support?
We target some children for ‘in class support’ with the class teaching assistant. Maybe your child doesn’t realise they are having this support, as it’s just part of their normal day! However, if you feel your child’s needs are not appropriately supported/met, please make an appointment for a chat with their teacher.
Has your child been referred to a service by someone other than school?
At Willington Primary School all pupils needs are important to us including identifying children who may need a little extra support in school. Sometimes we are not aware of any outside referrals that may have been made by your GP or other organisations. For example, referrals to Speech and Language Department, CAMHS, Occupational Therapy etc.
If your child has been referred please let us know by clicking this link https://schoolforms.uk/T/HCqpvCdDd0K0zjTEQP and completing the form so we are in the best possible position to support your child in school.
Thank you
Durham Neurodevelopmental Family Support Hub Information Leaflet
Sibling Superstars – A fun space, with activities, for siblings of children/young people with Autism, ADHD or Neurodiversity Come together and share your experiences and stories!
CAMHS Training Programme for Parents/Carers
Refraction – Group to Support Parents and Carers of Children with Autism
Little Treasures Autism Charity – THE BOOK OF INFORMATION THAT NOBODY TELLS YOU ABOUT including advice on benefits
Please click the link below to view the booklet.
CAMHS On-line Courses
Sleep Helpline
Does your child suffer with sleep issues? Do you struggle at your child’s bedtime?
The free sleep charity helpline is run by trained sleep advisors, many of whom are specialists in working with SEND. We can talk to young people directly, or parents (we can also talk to adults, including older people, about their sleep issues).
The helpline is open 5 times a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings 7-9pm, and Monday, Wednesday mornings 9-11am. The number is 03303 530 541.
You can read more here: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline/
