Working together around the child

At North Mead, we recognise that some children and families need support from professionals beyond school.

Where appropriate, we work with a range of education, health, social care and family-support services so that children receive coordinated support.

Our approach is always to ask: What does this child need, who can help, and how will we know the support is making a difference?

How external support works

The school may seek specialist advice when:

  • a child is not making expected progress despite appropriate support
  • communication, learning, sensory, physical or emotional needs require specialist input
  • a child or family needs additional pastoral or early-help support
  • further assessment would help us understand a child’s needs
  • specialist advice is needed to plan provision or reasonable adjustments

Where consent is required, we will discuss this with families before making a referral.

Many Leicester SEND support referrals are normally made by a school, education provider, health professional or social care professional.

Services we may work with

Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists can support children and young people with complex SEND, learning, emotional wellbeing and other barriers to participation. They work with children, families, school staff and other professionals to understand needs and develop appropriate support.
Learning, Communication and Interaction

Leicester City Council’s Learning, Communication and Interaction team provides specialist support for pupils with learning, communication and interaction needs. Support may be provided at individual, group or whole-school level.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health Team

The Leicester SEMH Team supports schools and colleges in meeting the needs of children and young people experiencing social, emotional and mental-health-related barriers. This can include advice, consultation, planning and staff support.
Hearing and Vision Support

Specialist teams can support children with hearing or visual needs so that they can access learning and wider school life as fully as possible.
Assistive Technology

Leicester SEND Support Services can advise schools on assistive technology where this may help a child or young person access education more effectively.
Disabled Children’s Services

Leicester City Council provides support for disabled children and young people and their parents or carers where appropriate.

Speech, Language, Health and Therapy Services

Where appropriate, children may also receive support or advice from health professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists or other specialist health services.

 

The exact service involved will depend on the child’s needs and the relevant referral pathway.

 

Early Help and family support

Sometimes families need additional help before difficulties become more serious.

Leicester City Council describes Early Help as support provided when problems first emerge, with the aim of preventing them from escalating. Support can include parenting and family relationships, attendance, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, housing, finances and other family circumstances.

At North Mead, our pastoral and inclusion staff can help families understand what support may be available and, where appropriate, support an Early Help request.

Leicester Early Help: 0116 454 1004.

 

SENDIASS Leicester

  • Families can also access SENDIASS Leicester independently of school.
  • SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for children and young people with SEND and their parents or carers. This can include support with SEND provision, Education, Health and Care needs assessments and plans, meetings and paperwork.
  • Telephone: 0116 482 0870
    Email: [email protected]

 

Safeguarding and Children’s Social Care

  • If there are concerns about a child’s safety or welfare, school may work with Children’s Social Care and other safeguarding partners.
  • If you are worried that a child in Leicester may be at risk, contact the Leicester City Council Duty and Advice Service on 0116 454 1004. The service is available 24 hours a day. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

 

Working with families

External professionals do not replace the relationship between school and families.

Where support is involved, we aim to:

  • explain why advice or referral may be helpful
  • involve families in decisions
  • share relevant information appropriately
  • agree priorities
  • coordinate support
  • review recommendations
  • consider the impact for the child

Our focus remains on making sure support is coordinated, proportionate and useful.

 

If you think your child may need additional support

Please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

You can also contact Miss Kirsten Holland (Vice Principal and SENDCo)

Families do not need to wait for a diagnosis before discussing concerns with us.

 

External Resource/Organisation Link
Leicester SEND Support Services SEND Support Services in Leicester City
Leicester SEND Local Offer Leicester SEND Local Offer
SENDIASS Leicester SENDIASS Leicester
Leicester Early Help Leicester Early Help
Leicester Children’s Social Care Support for children and young people

 

Related North Mead Pages

  • SEND
  • Local Offer
  • Pastoral Support
  • Safeguarding
  • EAL