Funding for Resource Bases in Mainstream Settings for Pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs and/or Autistic Spectrum Condition
Staffordshire County Council received Special Provision Capital Funding to invest in improving the quality and range of provision for children and young people with education, health and care plans (EHCP) aged 0-25.
The funding is to:
- Create new (additional) places at good or outstanding provision
- Improve facilities or develop new facilities
In line with the draft SEND strategy, to improve the inclusion of children with SEND within mainstream schools, and following analysis of the data to identify current gaps in provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and areas of need, Staffordshire County Council consulted on the proposal to use the funding to develop Resource Bases at Mainstream Schools for pupils with an EHCP with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH) and/or Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC).
Following this consultation Expressions of Interest to develop Resource Bases were invited from mainstream settings. After evaluating the applications received, interviewing the schools and conducting site visits of the premises, the following settings have been successful in being awarded the funding:
Biddulph High School, Knypersley, Staffordshire Moorlands - under development 2022
Project:
To remodel the current Hub facility and developing a modular build facility (x2 classrooms) on the Biddulph High School site for use by Biddulph High School pupils and pupils from the local area.
This Base will provide additional support for pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs with an Education Health and Care Plan or moving towards the assessment for an Education Health and Care Plan. Intensive therapeutic support will be provided for pupils and outreach support offered to local schools supporting pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Condition. Teachers will be able to gain access to continuous professional development opportunities.
Churnet View Middle School, Leek - Completed
Project:
The development of a Life Skills resource base providing a space for pupils with SEND to gain life skills. Pupils will access the resource as part of the school curriculum supporting individuals to overcome any barriers they face to progress academically, socially and emotionally. The space will focus on preparing the pupils for adult life and independence after school.
The resource will provide activities covering:
- Food preparation, cooking and storage facilities, shopping and budgeting.
- Washing, cleaning and ironing facilities.
The resource can be accessed by other schools if the schools bring their own staff.
Café type drop-in sessions will be offered and hosting events for the local community and peers.
Outwoods Primary School, Burton - Completed
Project:
OWLS ‘Outwood’s Learning Space’ will be created in a mobile classroom for pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition to access a differentiated curriculum.
Pupils will begin the day in the Unit and then access mainstream classes in the morning. Pupils will access the Unit for afternoon sessions.
OWLS will meet the needs of school pupils with an Education Health and Care Plan in school plus five additional spaces for pupils from outside the school.
A curriculum will allow pupils to develop creativity through music and movement; science and other topic lessons will be taught through a hands-on approach, pupils will learn life skills including cooking and access daily physical education lessons, forest schools, the quiet area and the ECO garden.
Weston Road Academy, Stafford - Completed
Project:
A sensory room/multi-sensory environment will be created for children with Autism Spectrum Condition by converting part of a learning support classroom.
The room will include equipment such as fibre optics, bubble tubes, a bubble wall, textured walls and appropriate lighting, fidget kits, vibrating pillows, sound tunnels, bean bags will provide a calming environment for children with autism and sensory needs, to provide a sensory diet.
The room will also provide a calming environment for children who have Social Emotional and Mental Health needs to access if they are struggling to manage with the demands of a mainstream classroom.
The pupils will attend the resource on a temporary basis dependent on their needs joining their peers in their mainstream class the rest of the time.
Chaselea Pupil Referral Unit, Cannock - Completed
Project:
Chaselea Pod - Alternative Centre for Learning on the Chaselea Pupil Referral Unit site.
Pupils will be placed at the Alternative Centre for Learning, through their Education Health and Care Plan, accessing core subjects together with a re-engagement programme. Pupils will be able to access other facilities/qualifications on the main Pupil Referral Unit site.
Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment will access core subjects together with a re-engagement programme for a period of 6-12 weeks.
Programmes will be bespoke and may be full-time or part time with pupils remaining within their mainstream setting