Locality SEND Support: supporting children in mainstream schools

Locality SEND Support: Be the change To improve the quality and timing of support to Croydon resident children with special needs and disabilities (SEND), we are excited to announce a new scheme in 33 local mainstream primary and secondary schools. This is called the Locality SEND Support Scheme.

What is Locality SEND Support?

Schools in Croydon across 4 local areas have been given funding to provide earlier and better targeted help to SEND children and young people. This funding helps special needs staff to quickly get the necessary support for students who are beginning to demonstrate that they have additional needs. These may be needs that can’t be met through the school's existing SEND resources.

This early help could include additional resources to be put in place without delays, like:

advice
school to school support
referral to specialist services

This can happen more quickly because participating schools hold the funding between them, and can direct the resource and help to the most suitable children in an efficient, targeted way.

Who is it for?

This funding is for children in primary and secondary mainstream schools who are starting to show a need for additional help and support.

SEND Locality Support is not aimed at children who already have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or who are in an Enhanced Learning Provision or special school.

Can I still request an Education Health and Care Plan Needs Assessment?

As a parent or carer you still have the right to request an Education Health Care Needs assessment. With this scheme, though, early intervention can help to make sure that the correct strategies, support and therapies are offered more quickly.

If an EHCP Needs Assessment is then considered, there will already be a dialogue between schools, students and parents. This will help to build trust and a common agreement of what is required in the best interests of each child.

What schools are taking part in the scheme?

The four participating localities in Croydon are Coulsdon, New Addington, Thornton Heath and Selsdon. This table lists all the participating schools.

Coulsdon	New Addington	Thornton Heath	Selsdon
Chipstead Valley Primary Coulsdon Church of England Primary Keston Primary New Valley Primary Oasis Academy Byron Oasis Academy Coulsdon St Aidan's Catholic Primary Smitham Primary and Nursery Woodcote High School Woodcote Primary	Applegarth Academy Castle Hill Academy Good Shepherd Catholic School Fairchildes Primary Meridian High School Rowdown Academy Tudor Academy	Gonville Primary Kensington Avenue Primary (KAPS) Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College (NMBEC) Norbury Manor Primary St Joseph's College Winterbourne Boys Winterbourne Girls Winterbourne Infants and Nursery	Atwood Primary Academy Courtwood Primary Forestdale Primary Gilbert Scott Primary Greenvale Primary Gresham Primary The Quest Academy Selsdon Primary School and Nursery

My school isn't in that list. Why?

These schools are in the selected localities for this academic year (until 31 August 2021). If the scheme is successful, it will be rolled out across the borough of Croydon.

If your school is not in this initial scheme then you should speak to the staff to discuss what support is already available for your child. You can also find support and guidance by searching on this Local Offer website.

How can I find out more?

To learn more, speak to your school's SENCO. You can also download this short guide or detailed guide for more information.

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