Mental Illness as a Special Educational Need The SEN Code of Practice (CoP) Maarten Crommelin, Deputy Headteacher, Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School
Introductions Aims today - To explore how mental illness is a special educational need (SEN) in the Code of Practice - To know the different SEN categories - To understand key points about the SEN Code of Practice (CoP) - To know how to contribute to the assessment for an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan)
Acronyms! SEN : Special Educational Need SEND : Special Educational Need and Disability LA : Local Authority CoP : Code of Practice EHCP : Education, Health and Care Plan
Where does mental illness fit into the SEN Code of Practice?
Types of SEN Broad areas of Need Communication and interaction Cognition and Learning Social, Emotional and mental health difficulties Sensory and/or physical needs
Communication and Interaction Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) Might not be able to say what they want to May not understand what is said to them May not understand rules of social communication Children with ASD, including Asperger s Syndrome and Autism are likely to have difficulties with social interaction.
Cognition and learning Mild Learning Difficulties (MLD) Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) Profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) e.g dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia
Social, emotional and mental health difficulties A wide range: Becoming withdrawn, isolated Challenging, disruptive, disturbing behaviour Anxiety, depression, self-harming, substance misuse Eating disorders Unexplained physical symptoms Attention deficit disorder Attention deficit hyperactive disorder Attachment disorder Psychosis OCD
Sensory and Physical Needs Vision impairment Hearing impairment Multi-sensory impairment Physical Disability Specialist support and equipment
What is an EHC Plan?
An EHC plan is a legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how that help will support the child or young person to achieve what they want to in their life.
The SEN Code of Practice: Statutory Relates to children and young people with special educational needs Young people = aged 16-25 Revised September 2014
Who must follow the CoP? Local authorities (LAs) Schools FE colleges Pupil referral units Early years providers NHS commissioning board
Who must follow the CoP? Clinical Commissioning Groups NHS Trusts / Foundation Trusts Local Health Boards Youth Offending Teams The First-Tier Tribunal
Principles of the CoP. LAs must ensure: Views, wishes and feelings of child, young person and parents are central Fully involved Fully supported Fully informed
Working together for joint outcomes: Education Health Social Care
Joint outcomes Joint commissioning EHC services EHC plans Transfer from children s services to adult services LAs, NHS England and CCGs must make arrangements for agreeing the education, health and social care provision required by local children and young people with SEND.
The Local Offer Las must publish a Local Offer giving information on local provision available across education, health and social care for children and young people with SEND
Local Offer Lists mental health services within a local authority
Who can request an EHC Plan?
An EHC plan can be requested by Parent Young person (16-25) Doctor Health worker Teacher Family friends Anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary
EHC Plans The process
What happens next? LA decides whether to carry out assessment LA gathers information from all professionals
Who might be asked for information during EHCP assessment?
Advice and information sought from: Child, child s parents, young person Education setting Medical teams Psychology Social Care Occupational health Youth offending team Other involved professionals Any person requested by the child s parent
What happens next? 1. LA decides whether EHC plan is needed 2. LA writes plan and shares with family 3. Plan describes recommended provision 4. Family looks for SEN provision 5. Provision agreed by LA SEN panel, or Tripartite Panel if Health and Social Care are involved in funding e.g. residential placement 6. EHC plan finalised and issued
Content of EHC plans Views, interests and aspirations Special educational needs Health needs Social care needs Outcomes SEN provision required Health provision required Social care provision Name of placement
What might be the educational needs related to particular diagnoses?
Please note: Not every child with a special educational need will meet the criteria for an EHC plan. Schools receive a proportion of funding to support children with SEN in mainstream settings. When mainstream settings are not appropriate, or can only be managed with significant input and support, then an EHC plan may be needed.
In our experience Each LA has different process Some misunderstanding about joint working Decisions not to assess for EHCP Decisions not to agree to EHCP LA not asking all professionals for info Appeals Timeframes Finding the right placement Resourceful families Getting the best information in at the right time
Case Study Lisa Year 8 2 secondary schools Hospital admission Anxiety, depression, self harm, overdoses Diagnosis of Asperger s Strengths Needs Attending our school EHCP assessment requested and agreed by LA Schools visited and one identified, LA agreed Successful highly specialised placement
Your Case Study SEN categories? Strengths? Needs? Recommended provision?
Any Questions?
Useful Links SEND Code of Practice https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0- to-25 Special Educational needs and disabilities https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/specialeducational-needs-disabilities Information Advice and Support providers https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/information-advice-andsupport-services-network/find-your-local-ias-service/london/lambeth