Criteria for admissions to Chaffinch Brook:
- The child will have an Education, Health and Care Plan issued by their Local Authority and the Local Authority will assume financial responsibility for the placement.
- The primary needs of the child will arise from an Autistic Spectrum Condition and will include behaviour that challenges
- The school will be suitable for the child’s age, ability and aptitude
- The child’s attendance at the school will be compatible with the provision of efficient education for the pupils who already attend the school
- The attendance of the child at the school will be compatible with the efficient use of school resources
- Availability of places taking into account the above factors as well as the child’s level of functioning and age.
Procedures for admissions:
Parents may visit the schools by appointment to find out and discuss whether the school is suitable for their child and whether the child’s needs may be met. Please email ChaffinchOffice@beckmeadtrust.org to make an appointment.
Referral documents are sent by the Local Authority SEND team to the Beckmead Trust central email for admissions and referrals which is chaffinch.consultations@beckmeadtrust.org
Referral documents should include:
- An up-to-date EHCP
- Latest annual review
- Relevant multi-agency information such as CAMHS assessments
An administrator then sends the referral documents to the Head Teacher who will consult with the Senior Leadership Team and other professionals such as therapists, to consider whether the school can meet the child’s needs.
A senior leader will raise any queries with the SEND team and will arrange a school visit to observe the current context, look at current school strategies and workbooks. A home visit may also be arranged to discuss current concerns regarding behavioural issues and individual needs. This information will contribute to a decision being made.
The decision will be communicated to the caseworker who sent the referral, within the 15 working days of consultation. The caseworker will then inform the parents and will confirm that the Local Authority will be taking financial responsibility for the placement. The parents are welcome to make an appointment to visit the school at any time during this process.
The school will communicate with the parents and the child’s current school to arrange a school visit for the child, a start date and a transition plan.
The transition and induction plan will be discussed with the parents and the child as relevant and may include:
- A series of school visits
- A social story
- Video introductions to students and staff
- Face to face introductions to a key member of staff
- An individualised time table. The school preference is to start the school placement full time but variations to this may be discussed in more complex cases.
When a placement has been confirmed, a representative of the class team will contact the parent/carer to arrange a meeting to talk about home/school partnership, risk assessment and mutual expectations. This will include information about term times, the school day, school meals, transport, uniform, school activities. The behaviour management policy, nurture policy, weapons policy and safeguarding policies will also be discussed. Parents will be encouraged to accompany their child to school for the first few days of their new placement.
If there is not a vacancy at the school or the school cannot meet the needs of the child, the SEND team will be informed within 15 days of consultation. Please contact your SEN caseworker if you have any queries.
