Who can help
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There are a number of people from different agencies who may be providing support during the transition process.
Connexions Personal Adviser
A Connexions Personal Adviser will work with young people to try and make sure they have all the support they need to achieve their goals. They will work with young people and their parents/carers to help them make choices about the future, provide information, advice and guidance and work with other agencies to make sure support is provided.
Social Workers
Social workers assess the needs of individuals and co-ordinate a package of support to meet these specific needs. In some Local Authorities a specialist transition social worker will also provide appropriate support during this period.
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
Under the Education Act 1996, the Headteacher and school governors have legal responsibilities for young people with SEN. Each school has a teacher who is the SENCO and is responsible for co-ordinating support for children with SEN.
The SENCO advises other teachers, liaises with young people, parents/carers and external agencies, contributes to in-service training of teachers and support staff and oversees SEN records. The SENCO has a key role in the Annual Review process and is responsible for obtaining reports from school staff, parents/carers and all other relevant agencies.
They are responsible for organising review meetings.
School Nurse
School nurses offer advice and support to school children on health issues such as speech difficulties, dietary problems, development concerns and emotional and behavioural problems. They also deliver health education and are involved in immunisation programmes.
School nurses provide a link between families and other agencies and can inform the school of referral routes to other agencies offering support in specialist fields.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
The majority of OTs work for the local health authority but specialise in particular areas of work such as mobility, play learning and daily living activities. They advise on special aids and equipment that can assist mobility and promote independence (eg, eating and drinking aids, personal care aids, wheelchairs, hoists, etc).
Schools and colleges may have access to an OT who will carry out assessments, make recommendations and train staff in the use of any equipment.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists also work in CAMHS and CMHT. They can assess, diagnose and treat conditions such as hyperactivity, autism, depression, eating disorders and psychotic illnesses, etc.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists assess and work with children and young people who have mobility or respiratory/chest difficulties. They help individuals to recover from illness or accidents by devising a programme of exercises and movements to strengthen muscles, improve circulation and breathing and enhance mobility.
Physiotherapists work closely with other medical staff, particularly OTs and can devise a programme of exercise or therapy which may be taught to appropriate staff to carry out at school or college.
Psychologist
Clinical psychologists work in CAMHS and CMHT. They help children and young people who have difficulties with relationships, emotional/behavioural difficulties, or particular problems relating to a learning disability. They do this through individual counselling, group and family therapy. Referral is usually via a GP or Social Services.
Speech and Language Therapist
Speech and language therapists assess and provide therapy for children and young people who have communication problems and/or eating and swallowing difficulties. Speech Therapists can devise a therapy programme and train school staff and parents/carers in its delivery.
Young people might be seen by the speech therapist at school, at a hospital, or at a community clinic. If they are seen outside school, the therapist will report back and liaise with school staff.
Local Authority Special Educational Needs Officer
This is a designated officer within the local authority with responsibility for young people who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. The SEN officer leads a department that has responsibility for writing and reviewing Statements and ensuring that the needs outlined in the Statement are met. The Local Authority continues to be responsible for young people with a Statement of SEN who remain at school until the age of 19. The Statement ceases for those young people who leave school at 16.
Educational Psychologist
Educational Psychologists are employed by Local Authorities and work with schools and parents/carers to offer assessment and support in relation to a child’s development and learning. They can offer personal support, group support and counselling. They are particularly involved in the statutory assessment process to determine whether a child requires a Statement of SEN.
Education Welfare Officer/Education Social Worker
The Education Welfare Service is part of the Local Authority and offers help and support to parents and the Local Authority to meet their respective statutory obligations in relation to school attendance. They also provide advice and support on a range of issues including learning disabilities/difficulties.
Parent Partnership Officer
The local authority employs the Parent Partnership Officer to provide independent advice and information on Special Educational Needs, provision and procedures. They support parents of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to ensure that they are aware of their entitlements. They will explain and support a parent through the Statutory Assessment process and will act as an advocate at Annual Review meetings and other meetings with school and local authority staff. Individuals can refer themselves to this service.
Advocate
An advocate is an independent person who can support parents and young people during transition. This can help to ensure their views are heard and understood. An advocate could be a parent/carer, a close friend, a teacher, someone from an organisation concerned with a particular disability, a solicitor or another appropriate person.
Disability Employment Advisers
Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) are based at Jobcentre Plus. They offer specialist support and advice on training and employment opportunities for young people and adults with disabilities.
Northumberland, supported by the main organisations involved in the transition process.
Although every effort has been made to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publication, contacts, telephone numbers and addresses are subject to change, which may make the information become gradually less accurate.