Arrangements for the co-ordination of Provision

It has been our policy for many years to keep detailed records on every child and a folder containing their tests right the way  through from P1 - P7.  Included in this arrangement we have those of the SEN child.

The co-ordinator (Deirdre Boyle) will oversee records kept on those children designated as having SEN.  Deirdre Boyle will also sit in on any meetings with parents of SEN children when educational plans are being discussed.  She will be there in a supportive role for the class teacher and indeed the parents.  The co-ordinator will also have responsibility for overseeing the buying of appropriate resources to aid the teaching of SEN children.  These will be well cared for in the hope that a good stock will be built up.

Identification and Assessment Arrangements

As Deirdre Boyle has the dual role of SEN co-ordinator and infant teacher within the school it is she who makes initial contact with the children and their parents.  She is making the initial appraisal.  It is the strongly held opinion of the teaching staff that no child entering P1 should ‘slip through the net' and identification should take place in the first year of school life.

Concerning older children who enter the school, teachers will use standardised tests to assess and review and if any concerns are raised the normal procedures will follow.

A base-line assessment will be carried out on all P1 children before Hallowe'en.  It is anticipated that Deirdre Boyle will be able to form an opinion on any concerns about children based on this and her own professional judgement.

These concerns will be monitored closely and raised at staff meetings by the co-ordinator, after which a decision will be taken as to whether they should be raised for discussion with the parents.

Parents are consulted at all times and obviously their consent is sought before referral for assessment if the latter is deemed necessary.  They are encouraged to give a comment about their own child for the psychological assessment.