Workforce Investment to Better Support Families

Families with children with special educational needs in South Tyneside can look forward to even better support after staff working in the Borough's nurseries achieved a nationally recognised award.

Nineteen nursery staff have now completed the Level 3 Early Years Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) Award.

Cllr Adam Ellison with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators

The training means staff will now be able to offer families with children with special educational needs and disabilities improved practice, ensure early intervention and make sure families are aware of the support available to them. This will enable the Council to continue to deliver on its priority of supporting young people in need.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "We believe in giving every child the best start in life and investing in the professional development of education professionals in South Tyneside is one way we can achieve this.

"This training will give staff across a number of our early years settings the knowledge they need to be able to better support children with special needs and disabilities at the start of their educational journey."

The Council was awarded funding by the Department for Education in collaboration with the National Association for Special Educational Needs for the training.

Early years SENCo and STANLEY'S Primrose day care manager, Kayleigh Wilkinson, 33, from Jarrow, said: "This training has increased my knowledge and, in turn, my staff's knowledge to provide the best outcomes for our children.

"The training has supported us to ensure we are providing true inclusion within our settings and to provide the best support for the children based on their individual needs in order for them to reach their full potential.

"We are currently supporting children and their families who are in the process of applying for an Educational, Health and Care plan and this course has provided in-depth knowledge and confidence to guide parents through this process."

It is hoped another cohort of SENCos will receive the training next year with a view to having a qualified Early Years SENCo in as many settings as possible.