Tel: 01727 849700
Email: admin@aboyne.herts.sch.uk
Etna Road St Albans AL3 5NL
Headteacher: Keith Smithard MA Ed.
SENCo: Ruth Clinton
ABOYNE LODGE SEND INFORMATION
My name is Mrs Clinton and I am the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and Mental Health Lead. I am a qualified teacher with an out-of-class role. I have completed the National SENCo Award and I have a level 5 Diploma in teaching children with Specific Learning difficulties. You will find me here three days a week, usually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and you can contact me directly on senco@aboyne.herts.sch.uk. I work with all of the staff here to improve outcomes for your child. We are an inclusive school and we work hard to ensure every child is able to reach their full potential. We have a strong approachable team, which includes many experienced Teachers, TAs and Ayla, the school dog.
I will help you with matters specific to SEND and/or mental health and look forward to a positive partnership working with you in support of your child. I also work closely with many external professionals, including our link Education and Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), to ensure every child has access to the appropriate support.
Where can I find more information about SEND on this website?
For quick reference, we have an overview of what we offer. This document, along with all our Statutory SEND information can be found on the 'Statutory Information Page’ . Choose Statutory Information on the menu at the top of the page then scroll down to SEN. You can also click the links below:
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SEND Info Report for Parents (a shorter more succinct version of the info report for parents)
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‘HERTS LOCAL OFFER’ which includes services available in Hertfordshire
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SEND Duty Lines Flyer Dec 2020
Where can I find information, help and advice?
We know that discovering that your child may need extra support in some way can be worrying. There are many charities and organisations that offer free, impartial advice and support for families of children with SEND. Mrs Clinton will support you through the SEND process and signpost you to these groups, but you can find a list here:
For support with Autism, ADHD and Neurodiverse conditions
Parents & Carers | ADD-vance - The ADHD & Autism Trust
Find out more about how we support parents and carers of children affected by ADHD, Autism or a related condition with training, coaching and much more.
SPACE supports families of children and young people who are autistic, have ADHD or other neurodiverse conditions. No diagnosis is necessary.
For support with Down's Syndrome
Up On Downs
Up on Downs is a parent run organisation which supports families of children with Down’s Syndrome. We support other parents by sharing information and creating opportunities for families to socialise and learn together.
The Down's Syndrome Association are here to support and walk along life's journey with both old and young people living with Down's Syndrome.
https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
For support with Dyslexia
Guidance for parents - British Dyslexia Association
The British Dyslexia Association, leading online parenting forum Mumsnet and expert in parenting dyslexia John Hicks have worked together to produce What…
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Parent Champions - The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust
Parent Champions are ordinary people who have a passion for supporting children who struggle with literacy. They do this by championing the cause, pointing parents and carers in the direction of where they can get help and support from our partner organisations.
https://www.parentchampions.org.uk/
For support with OCD
OCD-UK has been working for children and adults affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder since 2004. We provide advice, information, and support services for those affected by OCD, and campaign to end the trivialisation and stigma of OCD.
Uniquely, the charity is completely service-user led, everyone involved in the organisation have personal experience of OCD, either directly or through a loved one.
For support with Mental Health
NESSie - Positive Mental Health
Nessie is funded by Hertfordshire County Council to support parents/carers of children and young people with emotional and mental health issues. The aim of this work is to help parents/carers develop a positive and more confident approach to supporting their young person, whilst offering a chance to gain peer support; useful strategies and practical tools.
General advice and support for parents of children with SEN
Hertfordshire SENDIASS is an impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS).
https://www.hertssendiass.org.uk
(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
IPSEA offers independent legally based advice, support and training to help get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Special Needs Jungle
Special Needs Jungle provides parent-centred information, news, resources and informed opinion about SEN, disability, children's health and SEN politics
https://www.specialneedsjungle.com/
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Services - Speech & Language, Occupational Health, Visual and hearing impairment & Young Carers
Speech and Language
The children and young people’s (CYP) speech and language therapy service offers a child- and family-centred approach to support CYP with speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) and those with eating and drinking difficulties in Hertfordshire.
https://www.hct.nhs.uk/service-details-/service/childrens-speech-and-language-therapy-20/
Occupational Therapy
The children’s occupational therapy service offers a child and family-centred approach to support children and young people with their independence in all aspects of daily living, such as self-feeding, dressing and participating in play and school activities. The service is available to children and families across Hertfordshire.
https://www.hct.nhs.uk/service-details-/service/childrens-occupational-therapy-18/
Educational Psychology Service
Educational Psychologists (known as EPs) use psychology to support the learning, development and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. We work together with parents and carers, educational and other professionals, and children and young people. Our job is to help identify and meet the needs of children and young people, and support educational settings (nurseries, schools, colleges) to find ways forward.
Visual Impairment Team
Our Vision Impairment team helps education staff to support their pupils who are blind/ partially sighted. We also run activity sessions for preschool aged children.
Deaf and Hearing Support Service
The Deaf and Hearing Support Service help education staff to better support their pupils with hearing loss. They also provide activity sessions for deaf children of preschool age.
Herts Parent Carer Involvement
HPCI is an independent parent carer led organisation which aims to improve services for young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
https://hertsparentcarers.org.uk/
If you can't find the additional support that you need through our website, please come in and we'll do our best to help.
