Outside Agencies
At Kirkheaton Primary School, we have forged some very effective links in our multi-agency approach to working to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs. These services are accessed, with parental consent, via a referral form or if it is felt that a family would benefit from a multi-agency approach to their needs through the Early Help Assessment team (EHA).
Some of the agencies we regularly work with are:-
Educational Psychologists
Our school is supported by an educational psychologist, currently Antony Mancini, who works very closely with the SENCo. Following consent and referral, the educational psychologist assesses and supports individual pupils with a range of issues that affect their learning, concentration, attention and/or social communication and interaction. Working alongside parents and school staff they provide support with suggestions for actions based on need. The educational psychologist plays an important in contributing evidence to support an application for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, should the need arise.
ChEWS – Childrens Emotional Wellbeing Service
ChEWS is a Tier 2 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for children and young people in Kirklees. The Service provides short term targeted interventions to children and young people who are aged 5 to 19 and whose emotional needs are impacting on their day to day lives.
For further information please click here
Hearing impaired Service/Visually Impaired Service
These services can be called upon to support children in educational settings who have hearing /visual impairments respectively. With consent, schools can refer to the service for help and advice.
Occupational Therapy
This service helps support children with mental, physical or social disabilities to independently carry out everyday tasks by offering individual treatment programmes. They may suggest changes to the person's environment, whether that be at home or school and may introduce the use of equipment which will help with some activities. With consent, schools can refer to the service for help and advice.
Speech and Language Service (S.A.L.T.)
Almost everything we do involves speech, language and/or communication. Everyday tasks, learning, sorting out problems, having a conversation, getting a job, making friends and having fun all rely on our ability to communicate. Being able to say what you want to say and to understand what other people are saying is the most important skill we need in life. Some children and young people have difficulty communicating with others and have speech, language and communication needs - often referred to as 'SLCN'. If it is felt that your child would benefit from their help school, with your consent, will refer to the service. Some children are also referred via their GP or a School Nurse.
CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
This service can be accessed following referral from any professional who works with children. With parental consent they will assess and then if needed work with us to support children, recommending strategies for staff to use in school.
Services available to support parents
KIAS - Kirklees Independent Advice and Support Service (previously Kirklees Parent Partnership)
The role of KIAS is to ensure that parents have access to confidential and impartial information, advice and support so they can make informed decisions about their child's special educational needs. This is achieved by working in partnership with parents, providing information, services and training, working with relevant agencies and ensuring parents' views influence local policy and practice.
PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs)
PCAN are an independent, parent-led forum in Kirklees for all parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs aged from birth to 25 years. They provide lots of good information, links to social media for networking with other parents, and together they provide a strong, collective voice so that they can work in partnership with service providers across Kirklees. For more information click here