Special Educational Needs Support
At Chestnut Lane, we believe in equal opportunities and work to meet the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of all our children. Children with SEN are fully integrated into the life of the school and the curriculum, recognising the strengths of every individual as well as any areas for development, and ensuring all contribute to the social and cultural activities of the school.
The below information is aimed to provide parents/guardians/carers with ideas, guides and resources to support you and your children. We hope you find the signposting useful and that it gives you ideas of how to support your children further.
Our school SENCo is Miss Amba Flitney who can be contacted via senco@chestnutlane.bucks.sch.uk. if you wish to arrange a meeting to discuss any concerns about your child.
Occupational Therapy Support
Fine Motor Skills
Developing your child’s fine motor skills is key to ensure they develop their finger and hand muscles which supports using different tools, such as pencils and scissors. Here are some ideas of activities that you can explore with your child at home.
Sensory
All children benefit from having movement breaks added into their day. Refer to the following ‘sensory diet cards’ and watch the video to gain a clearer understanding of the importance of adding in movement breaks to help re-focus our attention and develop our ‘readiness to learn and do’. You could also work with your child to develop their own set of movement break cards or tasks to use at home.
https://www.griffinot.com/sensory-diet-cards-and-videos-free/
Sensory Processing
Have you noticed that your child finding it tricky to focus and sustain their attention for long periods of time? Could they have sensory processing needs? Please refer to the following website link to gain further understanding of what sensory processing involves and how you can support them further by implementing different strategies.
https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/cyp/pifs/sensory-processing-webinar-1-understanding-our-senses/
Buckinghamshire Healthcare for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
Further support for Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy is available on the following Bucks website. There is a range of resources and links to support with movement skills, eating, dressing and sensory processing, as well as pre-recorded webinars to develop your understanding of these topics.
https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/cyp/occupational-therapy/
https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/cyp/physiotherapy/
Speech and Language Support
Speech and Language Link Ltd have an online Parent Portal where you can access a range of activities to support your child’s language and speech development. Explore having fun with some of the suggested language activities at home, such as ‘mealtimes’ which will encourage your child to listen to different words and develop their vocabulary whilst you are cooking in the kitchen together.
https://speechandlanguage.link/parent-portal/
Buckinghamshire Healthcare for Speech and Language
If you feel you require further support for your child’s speech and language, you can refer to the following Bucks website. There is a range of resources and links to support with attention and listening, selective mutism, understanding, play and interactions.
https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/cyp/speech-and-language-therapy/
BHT Therapy Link
Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust are offering a service where parents and schools can contact them to speak directly to an Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist or Physiotherapist. Please see the attached flyer for more information if you feel this is something that would support you and your child.
Neurodevelopment
Autism Parent Portal
Please refer to the Autism Parent Portal which is a website that has a range of resources and strategies to support you and your child at home.
https://portal.autismearlysupport.org.uk/
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
If you feel you would like to get your child assessed for ADHD or Autism, CAMHS are able to offer this service. Please refer to their website to complete a referral form, and the school will support you with your application.
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/
Family Wellbeing Support
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, you are able to make a referral to CAMHS via their website. Please also contact our SENCo to discuss your concerns.
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/
Family Information Service
If you feel you require further support at home with your child(ren), you can refer to the Family Information Service which will provide you with paths to access support. Please also contact our SENCo to discuss your concerns, and we will be able to offer alternative ideas and strategies to support as well.
