Information for Schools

Welcome to the schools section of the DSPL 9 website. Below you will find a range of resources and support, along with links to a variety of documents.

Events and Training

• DSPL 9 Dates 2021-22 (460KB)
• Training Opportunities Academic Year 2020-21 (546KB)

SENCo Forum dates

Autism Lead Dates

All events will take place virtually via Microsoft Team for the remainder of the year (2020-21). Invites and agendas will be sent out to all SENCo prior to the meeting taking place.

Training Flyers

Coming September 2021 …

Review Groups

DSPL 9 currently run two review groups, the details of which are below. If you would like to become a member of one of the review groups please contact gemmahall@dsplarea9.org.uk

SEND Review Group

SLCN Review Group

DSPL 9 SLCN Outreach Service

The DSPL 9 SLCN Outreach Service is based at Central Primary School and led by Katie Hewerdine, katiehewerdine@central.herts.sch.uk

Support is available through a tiered approach to Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). This builds on the specialist provisions for SLCN (Key Stage 1 and 2) at Central Primary School, expanding the educational support for pupils with SLCN beyond those who have EHCPs for SLCN.

For further details follow the link below:

www.central.herts.sch.uk/our-school/outreach-work/speech-language

High Needs Funding (HNF):

LHNF (Local High Needs Funding)

Please ensure all LHNF applications are sent to dspl9lhnf@bournehall.herts.sch.uk via schoolsfx.

All resources linked to LHNF including the banding tool, application form and guidance can be accessed using the following link:

www.thegrid.org.uk/send-and-additional-needs/special-educational-needs-and-disability/high-needs-funding-hnf-in-mainstream-schools

EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan)

The EHC plan is intended for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).

The EHC plan puts children, young people and their families at the very centre of the process to make sure that their views are not only heard but also understood. The planning process uses outcomes focussed planning which helps families feel more in control.

The overall purpose of the EHC plan is to make special educational provision to meet the special educational needs of the child or young person, to secure the best possible outcomes for them across education, health and social care, and, as they get older, prepare them for adulthood.

A statutory assessment for an EHC plan should not be the first step in the process for helping to meet the needs of a child or young person but should be built on coordinated work that is already happening between families, educational settings and any other health or social care services involved.

All paperwork, advice and guidance can be accessed using the link below:

www.thegrid.org.uk/send-and-additional-needs/special-educational-needs-and-disability/education-health-and-care-plan

Benchmarking and Planning Toolkit Data 2020

This innovative tool provides Hertfordshire schools with a framework for discussion about their policy and provision for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND). This is set within the statutory guidance of the SEND Regulations 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years 2015.

Using a collaborative, solution-focused approach, schools can identify strengths in current practice and plan next steps.

Schools in DSPL 9 are asked to complete the Benchmarking Toolkit on an annual basis (summer term) and then complete a survey to provide both DSPL 9 and HfL with this information. This information contributes to and informs the DSPL 9 Strategic Plan.

• SEND Benchmarking & Planning Toolkit (154KB)
• DSPL 9 Schools’ SEND Benchmark 2020 (516KB)

Contact Lines

Please find links below to relevant contact lines which are available for both professionals and parents:

• Speech and Language Advice Line (599KB)
• Specialist Advisory Services Contact Lines (141KB)
• SEND Duty Line (345KB)

For further support or if you have any queries please contact Gemma Hall on gemmahall@dsplarea9.org.uk