Continuum of support

The range of education support in Kirklees for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Our vision is for all our children and young people in Kirklees to achieve the best outcomes. This includes ensuring that they can attend local schools and make friends within their local community, that they have positive emotional health, strong social connections and make good progress with learning. This also includes developing their levels of independence to enable them to lead fulfilling lives into and beyond adulthood.

We have a range of education support to meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The type of support provided is based on the individual’s
needs. Regular progress reviews help to identify any changes in support that a child or young person
might need as part of a graduated approach, which involves understanding needs and making sure the right support is available. To further support this, we also have cluster working. You can find out more about this on our Local Offer website. 

Most children and young people will have their needs met in mainstream schools, which provide the good quality teaching we expect for every child. Mainstream schools also offer a wide range of support for children and young people with SEND both with and without an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP). This includes targeted support, which involves support specifically tailored to a child or young person’s needs. This may include specialist outreach support where appropriate.
This may also include support from our Alternative Provisions when children need a different place to learn instead of, or as well as, a mainstream school. For those with EHCPs with the most complex needs, we also have more specialist support which includes Additionally Resourced Provision or Special Schools.

In exceptional circumstances, for a very small number of children or young people with EHCPs, support may be provided by out-of-area or independent special schools. We try however to make sure Kirklees children and young people have their needs met within Kirklees, so they can stay within their local community wherever possible.

You can download the PDF version of the information here (link opens in a new page) to share with your parents, carers and families.