Helping Children with SEN
Local authorities, schools and early years settings have statutory or legal responsibilities for special educational needs.
Local Authority Role and Responsibilities
Durham County Council is the local authority and has a duty to plan strategically to meet special educational needs. The local authority is responsible for:- Policies and Plans which plan and review special educational provision.
- Assessing pupils who may need a statement of special educational needs.
- Ensuring that the SEN Provision listed in a statement has been made.
- Annual review of statements of special educational needs.
- Monitoring the performance of maintained schools and specialist support services.
- Identifying, assessing and making provision for pre-school children with special educational needs.
Schools and Early Years Settings - SEN Policy
Schools and early years settings must have a special educational needs policy. Schools must consider the regulations set out with the Code of Practice and must report every year to parents on its success. The local authority also provides a template for developing a school’s SEN policy.Schools and Early Years Settings - Roles and Responsibilities
The Code of Practice provides detailed guidance for schools on the specific roles and responsibilities for special educational needs:- SENCO
- Governing body
- Classteacher or subject teacher
- Headteacher
