First things first

published:01 Dec 2008

There are many sources of information on SEN and disability and here we offer some starting points that you can direct your staff to. There are also professional development activities with which to explore values and vision.

To help you plan effectively for children with SEN, here are some quick and easy suggestions to give to teachers for gathering information.

• Talk to the children and young people in your class. The child with SEN will have their own views on their learning. Ask them what helps them learn in your class and what doesn’t help.
• Talk to the parents/carers and see what they feel would help. Remember we are looking at the whole child and they know their child in the widest context.
• Talk to colleagues about different strategies and if possible enter into a coaching relationship for support.
• Talk to the SENCO who can offer ideas and signpost sources of support.
• Read the personal information on the child and any advice given by your school.
• Talk to your local authority’s support teams, eg advisory teachers or educational psychologists.
• Look at the web sites as listed in section three, particularly the National Strategy’s SEN web pages and the national Inclusion Development Programme which is a self study resource.
• Remember that as a trained professional you will have your own professional judgement to bring to any situation and use this to weigh any advice you receive.