From Monday 25 September, schools will be able to access initial support, information and signposting around inclusion and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from our schools' Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO) helpline.
The SENDCO helpline will be provided by Derbyshire's Inclusion Support Services teams and will be available for:
- SENDCOs and inclusion leaders in mainstream primary and secondary schools within Derbyshire
- General questions relating to the inclusion of individuals or groups within schools where a limited amount of advice or signposting is needed - must be sent without child(ren)'s names
- Enquiries around inclusion, support and provision
- Signposting to support and services available to schools and families
The SENDCO helpline will not be able to answer:
- Enquiries linked to Education Health Care Plans (EHCP), Education, Health and Care Plan Needs Assessment (EHCPNA) or any related processes
- Enquiries from parents/carers
- Enquiries that are not from SENDCOs or inclusion leaders
- Enquiries that do not come from a school email address
The SENDCO helpline aims to provide:
- A response to all emails within 5 working days (term time only)
- Clear and reliable response, advice or signposting
The response will be by email or a phone/Teams conversation.
This is a pilot to provide an immediate support offer to school. The amount, and themes of questions will be monitored, and feedback sought from responses. Please help us by completing the very short survey by following the link in the response you receive.
The email address for the Derbyshire Schools' SENDCO helpline is: SENCOhelpline@derbyshire.gov.uk