Misconceptions and Mythbusters

SEND law and how SEND services work is very complex and is often misunderstood by both parents/carers of SEND children, and people who work for public bodies.

Our parent/carer forum have gathered a number of common perceptions about how services are run.

They are listed here with the Council/ICB’s response.

Below are common myths and a response we will keep adding to this as they come up.And if you become aware of anything please let us know.

Myth: 'Children with SEN must have an EHCP before they are able to attend a school nursery class?'

A small number of children who have well identified SEND may benefit from an EHC Assessment before they move into a school nursery class. However, for the vast majority of children their needs will still be at the stage of being identified and staff in EY settings will be following an Assess – Plan – Do - Review approach and monitoring their progress with an EY SEND Support Plan. It can be very difficult to make decisions about children’s longer term needs when they are so young and it is important that an EHC Assessment and subsequent EHCP is meaningful and fully reflects the needs of the child. Early Years Inclusion Funding is available to support schools to meet the needs of their nursery aged children who have SEND.

Myth: 'Children who are transferred from NUTH autism assessment waiting list to CNTW's CYPS neuro waiting list go to the bottom of CNTW waiting list'.

This is entirely inaccurate as CNTW honour the original referral date when they accept children onto their waiting lists.  If an error is made CNTW will always remedy the situation once they are aware of it.