What is Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Team (SENIT)
The Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Team (SENIT) is a multidisciplinary team of specialist teachers, inclusion workers and project workers with expertise in early childhood development, and learning and cognition needs across all phases of education.
Project workers provide home-based early intervention and support for young children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEN). For children and young people in educational settings, the team provide advice, resources, strategies and training and, where appropriate, specialist assessment to build capacity within the setting to identify and meet needs.
How can a child or young person access support from SENIT
There are a number of ways to refer children and young people with special educational needs for SENIT support. Pre-school children can be referred by a medical professional working with the child and family.
Children attending pre-school settings (e.g. child-minder, children’s centre, private nursery) and schools in Leeds can be referred by the setting or school. There are criteria for referral which are shared with health and educational professionals.
How the team works with children and young people
When a child or young person is identified as needing support from the team, the SENIT practitioner will consult with those who know the child best, for example their parent or carer, a key worker or their teacher. They may also consult with other professionals involved with the child, for example speech therapists. The practitioner may undertake observations and assessments, which can take place in the home, pre-school setting or school. The practitioner aims to include the voice of the child, using a variety of approaches appropriate to their age and maturity.
From the information gathered, the setting staff, parents/carers and the SENIT practitioner aim to gain a better understanding of the child or young person’s strengths and needs. A planned programme of support and intervention can then be agreed with the setting and parent or carer. The SENIT practitioner will sometimes be involved in reviewing the child or young person’s progress over an agreed period of time. Please see the parent/carer information leaflet available via the Leeds for Learning website for further information.
How does the team work with schools and settings?
The SENIT practitioners work with schools and settings to build their own capacity to better identify needs, plan appropriate provision and support children and young people with SEN. The duties of early years settings, schools and post-16 providers for children and young people with SEN is described in the SEN Code of Practice 2014 and is based on high expectations and happy and fulfilled lives.
For very young children not attending an educational setting, the SENIT practitioners work directly with families, focusing on planned play activities to help each child’s development. For children in school or an early years setting, SENIT practitioners liaise with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and ask that the views of parents/ carers and key staff are sought.
There will be an examination of the ‘graduated approach’ of assess, plan, do and review and how effectively it has been implemented and the impact. Consultations are framed around the graduated approach, which is a cyclical and ongoing process:
- Assess: identify strengths and needs through observations, tests, pupil work, reports, views of key staff, and with children, young people, and parent/carers
- Plan: plan provision to meet needs, with clear and measurable outcomes identified
- Do: implement the plan in the agreed time frame
- Review: share successes and challenges and plan next steps
The team also offers a range of resources and training courses to support schools and settings to develop their capacity to meet special educational needs. Bespoke training can be provided to individual schools and settings or clusters of schools on request.
Special Educational Needs Co-coordinators (SENCOs) in schools also have access to a SENCO network and conference; this provides the opportunity to disseminate relevant legislation, research and information and to share good practice across schools.
Key contacts
For more information and advice about referral criteria for SENIT support, please email SEND@leeds.gov.uk, or phone the team on 0113 378 2888.
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