SEND & SEMHD Policy

TARKA is committed to the inclusion of all children. This policy has been drawn up in conjunction with the SEND Code of Practice 0-25 years.

The purpose of the SEND code of practice is to give guidance and to set clear expectations to groups and to give children with SEN a good start by adopting an inclusive graduated approach.

Definition of SEND;

A child or young person has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.  A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a difficulty or disability if they:

(a) have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age; or

(b) have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities or groups of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.

This is a broad definition covering children and young people from 0-25 years of age.  Where a child or young person has a disability or health condition which requires special educational provision to be made, they will be covered by the SEN definition.

Definition of SEMHD;

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD)

Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties is an overarching term for children who show difficulties in controlling emotions and/or social interaction and/or are experiencing mental health problems. As an inclusive setting we endeavour to support and manage all children experiencing SEMHD.

Children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional and social development may have immature social skills and find it difficult to make and sustain healthy relationships. These difficulties may be displayed through the child or young person becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as through challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour.

A wide range and degree of mental health problems might require special provision to be made. These could appear as difficulties such as problems of mood (anxiety or depression), problems of conduct (oppositional problems and more severe conduct problems including aggression), self-harming, substance abuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained.

Some children and young people may have other recognised disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), attachment disorder, autism or pervasive developmental disorder, an anxiety disorder, a disruptive disorder or, rarely, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

TARKA’s SEND Policy:

1. If your child requires a 1:1 at nursery or school, it is our requirement that a suitably trained adult stays with your child onsite at all times.
2. We welcome any child with SEND to attend an initial trial class.
3. If we feel that a child requires a 1:1 support, we will ask that a suitably trained adult stays with your child onsite at all times.

At the time of registration parents will be given the opportunity to discuss their child’s needs with the Lead instructor or a member of the management team.

Our aim

• Challenge any inappropriate/negative attitudes displayed by staff, parents/carers or children.
• To encourage children to have a positive image about themselves.
• To provide a flexible environment and framework so that we can cater for children as individuals and make reasonable adjustments, including the provision of auxiliary aids and services, to ensure that disabled children and young people are not at a substantial disadvantage compared with their peers.
• To ensure co-operation and communication between all members of staff to ensure continuity and consistency in dealing with children.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD)

Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties is an overarching term for children who show difficulties in controlling emotions and/or social interaction and/or are experiencing mental health problems. As an inclusive setting we endeavour to support and manage all children experiencing SEMHD.

Children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional and social development may have immature social skills and find it difficult to make and sustain healthy relationships. These difficulties may be displayed through the child or young person becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as through challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour.

A wide range and degree of mental health problems might require special provision to be made. These could appear as difficulties such as problems of mood (anxiety or depression), problems of conduct (oppositional problems and more severe conduct problems including aggression), self-harming, substance abuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained.

Some children and young people may have other recognised disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), attachment disorder, autism or pervasive developmental disorder, an anxiety disorder, a disruptive disorder or, rarely, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.