The Specialist Teaching Service can offer advice and support to school and parent/carers. They are able to observe and assess children in school or sometimes at home and will give recommendations to schools on strategies to meet the pupil’s education needs. In some cases, the specialist teacher may create a report to be sent to school via email, which school will then share with parents. This report will give a background to why the assessment was carried out. If psychometric tests were carried out, then standardised scores will be included along with recommendations for schools and parents to help the learner make appropriate progress or to advise further actions such as is needed for statutory assessment or to identify the need for other services to become involved. Learning, SEMH and ASC specialist teachers work closely with many other professionals such as the Educational Psychology Team, Inclusion, Early Help and CAMHS. Reports provided by our teachers can be used by other professionals when making decisions around children on the neuro pathway.
Referral to this team must come through either the Resource and Support panel for learners without an EHCP (non-statutory) or through the Multi-Agency Education, Health, and Care Panel for learners with an EHCP (statutory). If after an annual review, the STS service is required, this can only be approved by MAEHCP panel. Referrals can only be made with the full written consent of the parent/carer.
Once the specialist teacher has been allocated, they will contact the school to organise a visit to either do an observation, offer advice, or carry out an observation or an assessment or the school will be asked to contact a specialist teacher directly. If an assessment has been completed, then a report will be sent out to school detailing recommendations and advice to meet the learner’s needs. Reports should be received within four weeks of the observation/assessment. In some cases, the specialist teacher may just feedback to a multi-agency team around the learner and offer their verbal advice.
We also have a Specialist Teaching Assistant who works closely with the pupil and with school. They also offer transition support for pupils moving between key stages and can support a pupil in their family home if they are finding it difficult to access school. To access this support, school must apply to resource and support panel and ask for ASC advisor who will assess and advise on what support and intervention the pupil would benefit from.
Monica Wheater
Education Development Advisor - SEND
monica.wheater@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Yvonne Clark
Specialist Teacher – Autism and Communication
yvonne.clark@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Zoe Seed
Specialist Teaching Assistant -Autism
zoe.seed@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Alison Crossan
Specialist Teacher – Social, Emotional and Mental Health
alison.crossan@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Nicola Thornton
Specialist Teacher – Learning
Nicola.thornton@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk