SEND & AP Change Programme
Information for Parent Carers
West Midlands SEND and AP Change Programme December 2024 update
Since the last update in July, we have been focussing on a number of areas that we can learn from to improve our services.
As part of our next steps, we want to:
- Develop Inclusion services across the West Midlands, which means you will see how we want service provision to look in the future, and the best ways we can develop the curriculum on offer and the staff that provide it.
- Continue to build the Alternative Provision in the three-tier model which means you will see a new Alternative provision specialist taskforce (APST) model in Telford and Wrekin, and in Shropshire.
- Continue improving the ELSEC programme which means you will see us working to make sure the service is the highest quality. We also hope to extend the ELSEC programme into new schools and nurseries.
Action update details
Alternative Provision (AP) Plan
What is AP?
The SEND and AP Improvement Plan is a three-level approach designed to help students in both AP and mainstream school settings. By identifying students' needs earlier and providing targeted support in regular schools, the plan aims to address these needs promptly and prevent unnecessary exclusions.
What have we been doing?
Over the last month, we have created a new plan for AP in the West Midlands and are now putting it into action after approval by the Board. This plan was presented to stakeholders at the CPP Alternative Provision Conference, where their feedback and suggestions were collected.
To support the plan's success, an AP CPP Steer group has been formed to share best practices and carry out important actions. In Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire, the APST model is being developed, and recruitment for essential services is in progress. A Task Force Manager has been hired, and various agencies have been consulted to define their roles within the APST framework.
ELSEC (Early Language Support for Every Child)
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin only
What is ELSEC?
In Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire, ELSEC aims to help schools and early childhood centres by showing them how to find a more adaptable and responsive way to support children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs.
What have we been doing?
Across Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire, 452 children are supported in early years settings, and 1,388 in primary schools. So far, the Talk Boost program is making great progress; it is now halfway through its 10-week plan in all 16 school locations. Please see the ELSEC page to find out which schools are involved.
In addition, preschoolers in all 13 PVI nurseries are being closely monitored. Communication audits have been completed in 15 school settings and 12 PVI settings, with staff feedback provided and goals set for review in Spring 2025.
To assess confidence in supporting children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), parents and school staff have filled out questionnaires. These will be sent again in July 2025 to measure any changes. ELSEC support staff have started Level 3 training with Course Beetle. Additionally, Dr. Sean Pert has trained all ELSEC staff in the BEST program; this training will be shared with ELSEC settings in Spring 2025.
After children finish Talk Boost and are reassessed, BEST interventions will be applied as needed. In Spring 2025, ELSEC support staff will also learn narrative therapy, and both school and PVI settings will receive continuing professional development on a mutually identified SLC training need. Parent information sessions have been conducted in 14 school settings, inviting parents from feeder nurseries as well. The remaining sessions at 2 schools and their nurseries are scheduled for January 2025. HLTA support staff will be trained to conduct parent-child interaction groups, starting in Spring 2025, with a series of four sessions.
Children participating in targeted Talk Boost interventions will be reassessed and grouped for additional support as needed, whether in Talk Boost, BEST, or narrative therapy. Pre- and post-intervention data will be collected, and children needing BEST will be evaluated using the CELF Pre-3 tests for receptive language. The ELSEC Pilot will keep going as usual in all the local areas involved.
Every area is now in the delivery stage, focusing on finding and helping children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) in selected Primary and Early Years settings. They are also testing the Workforce Training and planning tool, and further developing the ELSEC 'Set Up Manual' along with a repository of Supporting Documents to share best practices. Since the summer, many children have received support, and a significant number of staff members have been trained. Early signs show that these interventions are working well, meeting children's needs early and preventing some from ending up on waiting lists or needing an Education, Health, and Care Plan.
National Standards and Inclusion Services (formerly OAP)
What is National Standards?
The development of National Standards is underway to clearly define what "good" means in identifying and supporting the four areas of special educational needs.
What have we been doing?
We have taken a close look at what we currently know about the resources available at the Local Authority level. Now, we are creating plans for a Regional Inclusion Service to involve many different people across our partnership.
This will include:
- A detailed analysis of what is currently offered
- Wide-ranging consultations
- Evaluating current practices
- Opportunities for parents and carers to provide feedback
- Identifying and linking the best practices and services
- Encouraging a culture of inclusive leadership in various settings.
We hope this information has been useful. Should you have any queries or questions, please email [email protected].
If you wish to provide feedback or ask questions please see our contact page here.