At some point, a learner may need to access specialist support – this can be requested through the Resource and Support panel by school. The Resource and Support Panel (RSP) provides access to schools to High Needs Funding (HNF), Educational Psychology (parent centred/multi-agency approach), Specialist Teaching Service, Hospital and Community Teaching service and LA advice and support.
The RSP will only accept referrals for learners who are on the school's SEND register but are without a current Education, Health, and Care Plan as it is for non-statutory learning needs. Panel members include Senior Educational Psychologist, Designated Clinical Officer, Education Development Officers for SEND and Inclusion, Specialist Teachers, Head Teachers from Primary and Secondary school, SENDCO Representatives from one of the Additionally Resourced Provisions and Early Help Service Representative.
For more information about the Resource and Support Panel please click the link below
Schools use a single referral form to request the resource or support of the above services. This referral form must be signed by parents before consideration at panel - without parental consent, the referral will be automatically returned to the referring school. Once the referral has been signed, this gives the panel permission to share information with other services as felt necessary. The form allows for the setting to indicate the type of support/resource that they would like to access for the learner. The RSP meet on a three-weekly cycle although not during school holidays.
What can be allocated through Resource and Support Panel?
Through a referral to RSP the following can be allocated:
High Needs Funding: high needs funding can be allocated up to range 4.2 through RSP but could be a higher range dependent on need.
Educational Psychology Service: parent centred/multi-agency approach working closely with school and family to coordinate services and to support the child using a psychological approach.
Specialist Teaching Service: The Specialist Teaching Service has advisors who are specialist teachers in learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Social Emotional and Mental Health needs and Autism.
Hospital and Community Teaching: for students who are unable to attend school for more than 14 days for a valid medical reason which should be authorised by a consultant/paediatrician who states that the child/young person is unfit for school and recommends how many hours tuitions they are able to access.
Recommendation for initiating Statutory Assessment (RSP SARS1): In some cases, a SARS1 may be recommended by panel. This is when the panel members consider that a statutory EHC Needs assessment may be needed. A RSP SARS1 form will be sent along with the minutes from panel to the referring school asking them to complete and return to SEN@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Alongside this paperwork, parent/carer and child’s views form will also be sent with information about the SENDIASS service. We ask school to discuss what the statutory process is with parent/carers and to ensure that this is the route that they would like to take for their child/young person. Once the paperwork has been received it will be heard at Multi-Agency Education Health and Care Panel.
This does not affect a parent/carer or schools right to make a referral into the local authority for Education Health and Care Needs Assessment. Parent/carers can request an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment at any time if they feel their child has SEND. If this is the case, the IPSEA website has excellent resources to support a parental request. The SENDIASS can also support with this.
When making a referral, panel requests the following must be included:
- An RCBC Costed provision map.
- Current SEND support plan/EHC plan
- SEND Ranges document
- Recent reports such as EP, Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy
- Information on interventions and current support
This information will help the panel members with their decision making on how best to support the learner and what support may be required.