Schools Information Booklet - Torfaen County Borough Council

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Not all of these people will be involved at the same time but they are available
if needed. Your child’s school may want to put your child’s name on a Special
Educational Needs register that is kept in school. This is nothing to worry about, it
simply helps the school work out how best to help your child learn.
School may talk with you about setting up an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for
your child, which contains targets to help your child.
Your child’s school may also talk with you about requesting a ‘formal assessment’
from the Local Authority. It is a way of the school telling the LA that they have
concerns about supporting your child’s learning. As a parent you can also write
to the LA and ask for a ‘formal assessment’ for your child. Someone from the
Inclusion Service will be available to talk you through what this means.
Educational Psychology Service
Educational psychologists work with children and young people in the age range
0-16 years or 19 years if they are still in education. In partnership with the children
and young people, their parents/carers, Education Service staff, school staff and
staff from other agencies, educational psychologists provide support where there
is concern about a young person’s educational, emotional or social development.
They undertake assessments, work directly with the young people and provide
advice on the management of difficulties. They also provide training for those
who work with children and young people.
Educational psychologists usually see children in school following earlier
intervention undertaken by schools and parents/carers in partnership. The Service
can however be contacted directly on 01495 766906 or e-mail:lorraine.bennett@torfaen.gov.uk.
Hearing Impaired Support Service
The Hearing-Impaired Support Service aims to maximise the learning
opportunities of all children with a hearing impairment to acquire the necessary
skills for life so that they become valuable and valued members of society.
The team of specialists teachers and teaching assistants provides advice, Deaf
Awareness training and a variety of support to schools, families, other agencies
and professionals for children with a permanent or fluctuating hearing loss from
pre-school to college.
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