Education services, teams and panels

Access and Inclusion Service

In South Tyneside, the Access and Inclusion Service is responsible for:

• Working closely with children, young people and their families to make sure their views are heard
• Making sure the SEND Code of Practice is effectively implemented
• Supporting and challenging schools and other providers to make sure they provide high quality support for children and young people with SEND
• Reviewing the availability and suitability of specialist support and services in mainstream settings and special schools

The Access and Inclusion Service is made up of the following services:

Find out more about education services, teams and panels which support children and young people with SEND, and their families:

• SEND Assessment and Review Team
  The SEND Services Team is responsible for the statutory (legal) processes for children and young people with SEND. This includes Education Health and Care Needs assessment, plans and annual reviews.
• SEND Panel
  The SEND Panel considers requests for Education Health and Care needs assessments, top-up funding, change of placements, and changing or ceasing (stopping) an Education, Health and Care Plan.
• Post-16 SEND Panel
  When a young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan and they are in Year 11 onwards, decisions about their plan is made by the Post-16 SEND Panel.
• The Inclusion Service
  The service aims to ensure all settings have the skills, training and knowledge they need to meet the needs of our children.
• Area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
  The Area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator works with education providers to help them improve how they support children and young people with SEND.
• Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs)
  The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is responsible for the arrangements in the school / setting for children with SEN and / or disabilities.
• Portage and Pre-School Service
  Portage home visitors provide an educational service for pre-school children.
• Hearing Impaired Team
  Support for children who have a hearing impairment.
• Vision Impaired Team
  Support for children who have a vision impairment.
• Home to school / college transport
  South Tyneside Council provides help with school and college transport for children and young people.
• Home schooling (elective home education)
  Information about educating your child at home, including the Medical Tuition Service (if your child is educated at home or hospital because of a medical need).
• Educational Psychology Service
  Support when a child's learning or behaviour is a concern for their teacher or family.