SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Chambersbury

At Chambersbury, we want every child to feel safe, included and able to thrive. We know that children learn in different ways, and that some children may need additional support at different points in their school journey. We work closely with families to understand each child's strengths, the barriers they may be facing, and what helps them to feel confident and successful in school.

Mrs Gerber is our SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and works alongside teachers, support staff and families to help ensure children's needs are understood and supported. Our starting point is always high-quality classroom teaching and ordinarily available provision, including reasonable adjustments where needed. Where a child needs extra support, we take clear, practical steps to put the right help in place, agree shared outcomes, and review progress over time.

We value open communication with parents and carers, and we aim to work together so that support is purposeful, consistent, and helps children to achieve their best.

Questions or concerns?

Please speak to your child's class teacher first. If needed, they will involve Mrs Gerber (SENCO). To arrange a meeting, please contact the school office.

If you are worried about your child

1. Speak to your child's class teacher.

2. The teacher will put in place classroom strategies and reasonable adjustments.

3. If concerns continue, we will arrange a joint meeting with the teacher and the SENCO.

4. Together we will agree next steps and review progress regularly.

5. With your agreement, we may seek advice from external professionals.

How do we put support in place

When a child needs support that is additional to classroom strategies, we use a graduated approach called Assess - Plan - Do - Review. This helps us understand need, agree outcomes with parents/carers and the child, put strategies in place, and review what is working so we can adapt support over time.

Support for parents in Hertfordshire

The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer Information about SEND support and services across Hertfordshire (ages 0-25)

Hertfordshire SENDIASS Impartial advice and support for parents/carers on SEND, SEN Support and EHCP processes

ADD-vance ADHD and Autism Trust A Hertfordshire-based charity supporting families of childre and young people with ADHD and/or Autism. They offer a parent/carer helpline, training cources, support groups, coaching, and resources, and they also provide training for professionals.

SPACE Hertfordshire An award-winning Hertfordshire charity supporting families of neurodivergent children and young people (including autism, ADHD and related differences). They offer parent/carer support groups, free workshops and courses, 1:1 family support, and inclusive events and activities for children and young people. No diagnosis needed.

Down's Syndrome Association (DSA) A UK charity supporting people with Down's syndrome, their families and carers, and the professionals who work with them. They provide a dedicated helpline, information resources, and a wide range of free training and support sessions (including for parents/carers and education professionals).

British Dyslexia Association (BDA) – Guidance for parents Practical advice for parents/carers on understanding dyslexia, recognising common signs, and finding the right support. Includes a short video guide and signposting to further BDA resources to help you work with school and support your child at home.

OCD-UK A UK charity supporting children, young people and adults affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They provide evidence-based information and resources, offer support services (including online support groups/forums), and campaign to reduce stigma and improve access to effective treatment.

NESSie (Positive Mental Health) A not-for-profit organisation supporting the positive mental health of children and young people (0–25), alongside families and schools. They provide 1:1 and group arts therapies/counselling, plus training and supervision for education staff and support for parents and carers, with services delivered in school, community settings and online.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Services

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) – Children's Services An overview of HCT's children's services in Hertfordshire, split into universal services (e.g., health visiting, school nursing and immunisations) and specialist services (including CAMHS pathways and integrated therapies such as OT, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy). The page also signposts you to each service's "Making a referral" information.

Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapy Information about HCT's NHS speech and language therapy service for children and young people in Hertfordshire, including who the service is for (birth–18, and up to 25 with an EHCP), how support is provided, and how to access the service/referral routes.

Children and Young People's Occupational Therapy Information about HCT's NHS occupational therapy service for children and young people in Hertfordshire, including what OT can help with (everyday functional skills), how support is provided (universal/targeted/specialist), who is eligible, and how to access the service/referral routes.

Autism (ASD) diagnosis Information about the NHS autism diagnostic service for children and young people in Hertfordshire, including what the service does, who it is for, and how families can contact the service with queries (contact routes differ depending on whether your child is under West Hertfordshire or East & North Hertfordshire paediatric care).

PALMS (Positive Behaviour, Autism, Learning Disability and Mental Health Service) A specialist NHS mental health service for children and young people aged 0–18 in Hertfordshire who are autistic and/or have an intellectual disability, offering tailored support for needs such as behaviours of concern, mental health, sleep, feeding and toileting where difficulties are complex and cannot be met by mainstream services with reasonable adjustments.

Children's Wellbeing Practitioners (CWP) Service Early intervention emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people aged 5–19 in Hertfordshire. The service offers low-intensity support through 1:1 or group interventions (by referral) and also runs one-off workshops for parents/carers and young people (no referral needed).

If you have any concerns about your child’s needs or the support in place, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance. If concerns remain, you can contact Mrs Gerber (SENCO) and/or Mr Payne (Headteacher). If needed, our Complaints Policy explains the formal process.

Key Send Documents (what each one covers)

SEN Policy (2025/26) – our whole-school approach to SEND, roles and responsibilities, and how provision is monitored.
SEN Information Report (2025/26) – how we identify needs, provide support, review progress and work with families
Quality SEND Offer inclusive classroom strategies and targeted support used across the school.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing – how we support wellbeing, regulation and emotional development.
Accessibility Plan (2025-2027) – how we are improving access to learning, the environment, and information for disabled pupils.

Chambersbury Primary School