Many of you reading this blog will be aware that for a number of years I worked as a special educational needs advisor/expert witness and advocate. Based on this, I’ll share with you my proforma used when assessing situations when building a case.

For much more on this crucial topic explore my book ‘DO IT YOURSELF EDUCATION ADVOCACY.’

Date of visit,

Name of learner,

Date of birth,

Eye condition:

Other disabilities:

Special educational needs

• What special educational needs does the child have
• What has already been done to help
• Who has given this help? E.g. class teacher, specialist teacher, teaching assistant or therapist

1. For how long has this been operating
2. When is it delivered
3. How often is it delivered
4. What qualifications does the individual have or training received in order to deliver the support
5. Is the support quantified with progress monitored i.e. a specific programme
6. Is the support over seen by a qualified person – if so how often – describe.

• What progress has the child made based on assessments and tests. Include non academic assessments and qualifications too. For example, age appropriate independence. Include current and past copies of for example IEPs. Attach and highlight
• Compare and contrast these results with

1. Results from an independent school
2. Base line knowledge. Is there a significant difference between general knowledge and more formal test results
3. An up to date for example IQ test
4. Results of sighted peers

Comments,

The child’s views

• What are the child’s views about the issues raised by the school visit

Comments,

Key points from a range of professionals; for example, Ophthalmologists, Optometrist, Orthoptist, Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Community Paediatrician, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Community Mental Health Team, Psychiatrist, Re/habilitation Officer (regarding social inclusion and mobility), Mobility Officer, Educational Psychologist

• Attach and highlight key points
• Describe their involvement
• Name their qualifications and experience

Comments,

Education

Describe the level of support and items of support that should be in place based on information from,

• Specific eye condition groups
• Significant professionals
• Other local authorities and/or schools
• Education Health and Care Plan EHCP)

1. Are the different sections suitable and appropriately specified and quantified
2. What changes would you like to see in the EHCP?
3. Why would you like to see these changes to the EHCP?
4. Has the learner already shown what you are suggesting will be helpful?
5. Provide any expert advice which recommends changes to the EHCP. State the qualifications and experience possessed by the person making the advice)

Education 2

Describe the level of support and items of support that are actually in place based on information from,

• The learner
• The learner’s class teacher
• Any specialist teachers involved
• The school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator
• Any other person with first-hand knowledge about what’s actually in place

Next time we will cover

The role of learning support assistants

Appropriate age related skills at 14+

Is the school’s built environment suitable?

What level of support do you think the needs needs.

Describe why you want the support described for the learner

Therapy; for example, mobility, Braille, touch typing, social skills, independent living skills, speech and language, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, assertiveness training etc

Conclusion