People who help with Special educational needs (SEN) Support

These professionals help with Special educational needs (SEN) Support in mainstream schools.

School staff

• Special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENCo). This is a designated member of staff who oversees the provision of SEN Support.
• Learning support assistant. This is someone who works in a classroom under the direction of a qualified teacher.

Specialist teacher

This is a teacher with specific knowledge and advanced skills who can give advice about SEN Support.

The team around the school (TAS)

Teams Around the School wrap support around mainstream schools to improve inclusion and help ensure a consistent level of quality Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support in all 15 school and community zones in Norfolk.

They are multi-disciplinary teams which meet regularly with schools to ensure individual children and groups of children receive the right support at the right time. They provide expertise, resources and can call in additional experts if needed. They are made up of specialists who work for Norfolk County Council and professionals working in partnership including:

• SEND advisers provide advice for schools to help them support children with SEND. 
• Inclusion advisers provide advice for schools to help them support children with behaviours that challenge and put them at risk of exclusion. 
• School and community teams (SCTs) - School and Community Teams work with children, young people and their families, as well as schools and colleges. Their aim is to provide early support, promote inclusion, and prevent concerns from becoming more serious. They offer flexible, tailored support to meet each child and family's needs. This can include help with learning, school engagement, moving between schools or stages of education (transitions) and social, emotional and mental health.
• Educational psychology and support service (EPSS) - EPSS provides advice to help schools support children's difficulties with learning and achievement. The service includes educational psychologists, specialist learning support teachers, autism support specialists and SEMH practitioners.

External services

• Norfolk SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS). This is an impartial information, advice and support service for young people and families.
• Anglia Care Trust (ACT). This is an impartial service that can help families resolve disagreements.

Other types of learning support for mainstream schools

Explore SEND Support services for schools.

Contact the SEND and inclusion support line for guidance and support.