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SEND Strategic Advice and Support (SEND SAS) offers high quality support and advice to  early years settings, schools and 14-25 providers in order to develop their practice and provision for pupils with SEND.

Within a school improvement focus of challenge and support, SEND SAS works alongside settings to:

  • Develop effective whole-school SEND systems and processes around identification of SEND
  • Plan and evaluate their SEND provision and practice to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND
  • Raise the attainment, and aspirations, of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

The team supports and facilitates cooperation between stakeholders across the city, such as multi-academy trusts, to ensure that best practice is identified, understood and shared.  

In conjunction with Plymouth University, SEND SAS delivers the National Award for SEN Coordination and leads training for SENCOs to ensure Plymouth Schools are compliant with statutory legislation. The team also works in partnership with 14 – 25 providers, PLP (SEN Hub), Excellence Cluster, Peninsula LA teams, Plymouth University, and the University of St Mark and St John.

A range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities is provided for school leadership teams, SENCOs, teachers and teaching assistants in order to develop policy and common practice.

Through SENCO briefings and regular news-emails, SENCOs and schools are updated on national and local initiatives that impact on SEND provision in their schools. The team also facilitates opportunities for sharing and developing SEND practice through SENCO network meetings.

As part of local area SEND development, the SEND SAS team perform SEND Audits and report on city wide effectiveness in identification, assessing and meeting the needs and improving outcomes of CYP with SEND.

For further information about the team’s support opportunities call 01752 260256 to discuss bespoke SEN development needs.