SEND Implementation Support and Statutory Assessment Team

The SEND Implementation Support and Statutory Assessment Team are a group of SEND professionals who work closely with SENCos, professionals and families to help schools work out the best ways of supporting a child or young person’s additional needs in school. They are there to answer your questions, however simple, and work together with schools and settings to find solutions to the more complex challenges.

Who are we?

SENDIAGOs

(SEND Information Advice and Guidance Officers) who work for the Ask SALI team. They can offer advice and answer queries from SENCos about SEND support in their school. They work closely with specialist teams (e.g. SEND specialist advice and support, DSPL, HFL Education, Special School Outreach, behaviour outreach, health and social care colleagues to ensure the best possible support for SENCOs.

SEND Implementation Support Officers (SISOs)

There to support with the implementation of any SEND strategies and act as a bridge between services, schools and parents.

The SEND Assessment Team

Oversee the statutory needs assessment. This team is made up of CIAOs (Children’s Information and Advice Officers) and EHC Coordinators. CIAOs will oversee the first 6 weeks of the assessment process. If the assessment is agreed, EHC Coordinators in the team will work closely with parents and professionals to gather evidence for the needs assessment and (if agreed) to create a draft EHC plan.

How do we support schools and SENCos?

The Ask SALI (SEND Advice Line for Inclusion) is an advice line, targeted primarily at SENCos, to help them meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as early as possible, in the most appropriate way.

Core visits

During a core visit, SISOs will work with SENCos to update them, discuss their requirements, provide resources where there might be gaps in knowledge, and signpost schools to training, courses and networks. They will work with SENCos to discuss tricky cases, and find ways forward for unnamed individuals and cohorts. The meetings are arranged by the SISOs who aim to offer an initial Core Meeting in the Autumn Term, followed by one or two review visits in the Spring and Summer term, as needed.

Proactive Implementation Support Meetings (PRISMs)

The team will also help SENCos to ensure they have the appropriate support in place for a child or a cohort by organising and attending PRISMs. PRISMs are offered by the team to help schools review and implement strategies.

Individual PRISMs

Chaired by the SISO and attended by parents, school, the child or young person, and additional professionals where appropriate. The aim of a PRISM is for all parties to feel listened to, and for a collaboratively produced provision plan to be put in place to assess and meet the needs of the child / young person. Additional services are signposted and engaged and relationships are built and will continue to be nurtured. A PRISM can help you decide whether to put an EHC Needs Assessment request in if the child or young person isn’t making expected progress and you can demonstrate that the provision is over and above what is ordinarily available in mainstream provision.

Cohort PRISMs

SISOs can help you to review the provision you have in place for a cohort, help you to problem-solve and offer support and guidance for appropriate and effective next steps or signposting.

Whole school PRISMs

For support and guidance in enhancing whole-school provision, problem-solving and supporting wider CPD and school improvement. The whole school PRISMs are usually offered by the SISOs but can also be run by the SENDIAGOs.

Training

The team can work with you by updating and enhancing your practice through training. This training is likely to be delivered by a SISO for EHCNAR and case-specific training, and a SENDIAGO for training that focuses on systems, leadership and whole-school strategy.

Statutory assessment

If, despite the reasonable adjustments and strategies being introduced and impact measured, there is still little or slow progress, then a needs assessment may be required. It is always worth phoning the Ask SALI team first to discuss a child’s needs before submitting a request for assessment. The CIAOs and EHCCos in the team are responsible for overseeing the assessment process for EHCP needs assessment (EHCNA). If an assessment is agreed, they will work together with school, family and professionals to ensure that the child’s needs and provisions are captured.

How can I contact the team?

If your query relates to an EHC Assessment for a child at your school, you can contact the EHC Assessment team by emailing ehcneedsassessment@hertfordshire.gov.uk

For all other queries about supporting a child with SEND in your school, or to discuss any of the services mentioned above, contact the Ask SALI advice line.

Professionals can contact Ask SALI by calling 01438 843 310 9am – 5pm from Monday to Friday.

Professionals can also contact the team via email at AskSALI@hertfordshire.gov.uk