Admissions process for specialist resource bases
The admissions process for specialist resource bases (SRBs):
- Is started by your child's current school or nursery, or
- Follows a discussion with the class teacher and SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or a review meeting if your child already has an Education, Health and Care Plan, or
- For deaf bases a discussion with the Virtual School for Sensory Support, or
- For Speech and Language bases a discussion with the speech and language therapist
You do not need an Education, Health and Care Plan to access SRB places.
Sessional placements
For Learning and Cognition needs (LCN), Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) bases, children remain on the roll of the home school. They attend the SRB in varying amounts of time throughout the week for a period of two to four terms.
Permanent placements
You can request a referral for a permanent place at a Deaf base, autism base or SHIP (Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice). If successful your child will move schools and if they have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) the school will be named in the Plan.
It's important if your child has an EHCP that the school invite your child's education, health and care plan (EHCP) coordinator to any meeting where a potential specialist school place is discussed. They are experienced and knowledgeable and can offer advice.
How admissions are decided
A referral is made online by the school or if necessary the EHCP coordinator. This is received by the LA SEN Placements Team
All referrals for Autism, Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Learning and Cognition (LCN) and SHIP bases will be considered by a triage panel. A decision will then be made as to whether the referral is appropriate for consideration at the SRB admissions panel for the SRB type requested or another model of support. This could be an alternative type of SRB or outreach.
Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Bases and Deaf Resource Bases are not included in the triage panel as children are referred on the advice of a Speech and Language Therapist or Virtual School for Sensory Support, respectively.
The Triage Panel meets every two weeks and discussion around suitability for further consideration is held between SRB Advisors, Specialist Teachers, Educational Psychologists and LA officers.
If agreed the referral will move to the agenda of the admissions panel for each type of SRB where an observation may take place and further information is discussed. Placements are only offered at the Admissions panels.
The SRB admissions panel is made up of a group of professionals, including Base Lead teachers, Special School teachers, Educational Psychologists and other professionals. Deaf Resource, Autism and SEMH panels are chaired by a Local Authority (LA) representative.
Everyone will discuss each case, using the paperwork that has already been prepared and circulated including observation notes. The decision may be deferred if the base is full and an offer could be made at a later date.
If this happens other bases may be considered and offered. The most local base to the child's home will always be prioritised.
The decision may be to offer, re consider or stand down.
The LA will email the school who has submitted the referral with details of the outcome.
We ask that the SENCo or relevant teacher share this information directly with the family. This allows for discussion with families to help them understand the reason why a place was not offered and a way forward.
How to query a decision
If you're not happy with the decision made contact your school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator, or if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, contact your Education, Health and Care Plan Coordinator.
