Auditing house & garden for SEN

[mumofone]

How do I go about this? Do I need to document it? Are there any guidelines? Any advice appreciated! Thank you :-)

[moggy]

It would need to be done for a particular child's needs, else it wd be pointless. Do you have a good idea of what the child's needs are? or is this for some other purpose?
(ie- auditing for a child with a sight impairment and auditing for a child with autism or who is using a wheelchair would be very different things! Every child is unique.)

[mumofone]

It would need to be done for a particular child's needs, else it wd be pointless. Do you have a good idea of what the child's needs are? or is this for some other purpose? (ie- auditing for a child with a sight impairment and auditing for a child with autism or who is using a wheelchair would be very different things! Every child is unique.)

Thanks moggy, I don't have any mindees with SEN and have never been approached by a parent to take one on either but I didn't know if we had to show that we are "ready" to take them on if needed?

[sarah707]

Your normal Ra and other documentation should cover all children including those with send ...

[Mouse]

I have it written in a policy (can't remember which one) that should I be in the position of looking after a child with an additional need I would take advice from parents and other professionals to ensure I was providing the correct care for them. I have dealt with physiotherapists, play workers and nurses and I have had visits from organisations who can advise on the environment and specialist equipment.

You can't really plan for a SEND child until you have one, but you can show that you know what you would do if the situation arose. And that is to take advice from the people who know what they're doing.

[moggy]

Thanks moggy, I don't have any mindees with SEN and have never been approached by a parent to take one on either but I didn't know if we had to show that we are "ready" to take them on if needed?

Your LA may ask you to complete a 'Local Offer' saying how you might be able to support a child with SEND, they may have a template or guidance for this but it is specific to how you LA does it so best ask them.

I could not say if I was 'ready' to take on any possible SEND, some would need 1:1 care- could I offer that? not easily; some may need special high-contrast markers around the environment (for sign impairment as was needed at a local school) but I am not going to install that now just in case as it may never be needed... and so on.

I would wait and assess the child's needs as an individual- as with any child SEND or no SEND.

Remember, if you did take on a child with a SEND that required adjustments to be made to your setting or way of working you do not have to say yes, it is your home and your business. There are also grants and charities that could help if there were adjustments you wanted to make to help a particular child access your setting. No one can make you build wheelchair ramps, insist you learn fluent BSL, widen doorways or install stairlifts, for example- it is only what is deemed 'reasonable'.

Your LA/EY team should have a SEND rep who might be able to reassure you and let you know what is expected and how to work with a family who might approach you with a SEND.

[mumofone]

Thanks for the responses everyone, hugely helpful as always. Ive re-read my equal opps policy and think I am happy enough that it covers the fact that I am inclusive of everyone and would adapt my setting/activities etc to individuals needs as required. Hopefully this will suffice if they (OFSTED) ever drill into it!