www.wiltshire.gov.uk
What if I think my child has SEN?
What can I do if I think my child may have Special Educational Needs?
If your child is of pre-school age talk to your health visitor or doctor.
If your child is already attending or about to start a pre-school, such as a nursery or play group, discuss your concerns with the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator). If your child is under 5 and has been identified as needing specialist provision, the health service will inform us as well as giving you information about support services.
If your child is attending school talk to their teacher, the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), or the headteacher. If you need further advice, you can also contact the education support services direct. Contact details are provided on each team’s webpage at Support Services
Whatever the age of your child you can also contact SENSS (Special Educational Needs Support Service, Wiltshire’s Parent Partnership Service) on 08457 585072 for information or advice, or visit their website at www.askwiltshire.org.
What happens if my child has Special Educational Needs?
Our aim is to ensure that children and young people with SEN in Wiltshire have their needs met, effectively and quickly, and as close to their homes as possible. There is a continuum of assessment and provision available, to enable this to take place.
To find out more about assessment of children’s needs go to Stages of Assessment.
To find out about the continuum of provision in Wiltshire, go to Provision.
All special arrangements made by pre-school settings, schools or the local authority for meeting special educational needs, are guided by The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. This is a document produced by central government, the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It provides information about what you can expect from schools as well as from your local authority. Where the Code of Practice refers to the local authority, this means the Department for Children and Education (DCE) of Wiltshire County Council. To access the full document, go to Code of Practice.
Additional guidance on identifying and providing for children/ young people with SEN in Wiltshire, can be found in the Wiltshire Indicators and Provision Document: A handbook of provision for children and young people with special educational needs
We want to work in partnership with parents and carers. If we become directly involved with your child, we will need your assistance. Your views about your child’s needs are particularly important.
Contact Details
By Post
Wiltshire County Council
Central SEN Services
Children & Education Department
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JB
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713003
By Fax
01225 713145
