Specialist Provision for Children with SEND
At Meridian High School, we believe every child deserves the right environment to thrive. For some young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), this may mean accessing a specialist provision. We are here to support families every step of the way, working in partnership with parents, professionals, and the Local Authority to secure the very best outcomes for each individual child.
Local Offer and Specialist Provision- Guiden for parents (Including Specialist placement options)
How to Begin the Process
If you feel your child may need a specialist placement, here are the key steps to take:
Talk to Us First
Start by contacting your child’s key worker or our SENCO/EHCP Coordinator. Together, we’ll review your child’s current support and discuss whether a specialist provision may be appropriate.
EHCP review
Specialist placements are usually secured through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
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If your child already has an EHCP, we will work with you to review and update it. If you feel that a specialist placement is more suitable for you child, the consultation process for a specialist placement can begin. This means that your child's EHCP will be sent to specialist provisions for consideration for a specialist placement.
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If they don’t, we can guide you through the process of requesting an EHCP assessment. This will include observations of your child, additional screening and they will be seen by an educational psychologist whow ill provide the school with a written report. Parents are involved in this process. Once this has been completed, an EHC needs assessment will be written. At this point the EHCNA can be accepted and go to panel- in which a draft EHCP will be written and a specialist provision can be named. An EHCNA can also be declined at this point.
Gather the Right Evidence
We will help you bring together reports, assessments, and evidence of your child’s needs and the support already in place. This information is vital in ensuring the Local Authority has a full and accurate picture. We can also support you in providing you with information about the specialist provisions within the Local Authority as well as visiting them with you and your child so that you can make your preferences known to your child's EHCP coordinator.
Work with the Local Authority
The Local Authority makes the final decision about specialist placements. As part of the EHCP process, they will consult with different schools and settings to find the most suitable provision for your child.
Parent Power
Parents play a vital role in shaping the future of their child’s education. If your child has an EHCP, you have the legal right to request a specific specialist provision that you feel best meets their needs. The Local Authority must carefully consider your preference and can only refuse if they believe the placement would not meet your child’s needs, would be unsuitable for the education of others, or would be an inefficient use of resources.
At Meridian High School, we work closely with families to ensure parents feel fully informed and supported when making these important decisions.
How Meridian High School Supports You
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Pinnacle: All students with an EHCP will have access to Pinnacle- a team of dedicated and specialist staff to support your child.
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Key worker: All students with an EHCP will have a dedicated key worker who will work with the parents and child throughout the year. Key workers will conduct 3 reviews throughout the academic year- which are in addition to the EHCP reviews to ensure that the provision and support is as impactful as possible.
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Regular Reviews: We meet with families to discuss progress and support strategies and make adjustments to the EHCP if required.
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Professional Collaboration: We coordinate with external professionals such as educational psychologists, therapists, and health services.
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Clear Communication: We ensure that parents are fully informed at every stage.
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Ongoing Support: While the EHCP process is underway, your child will continue to receive targeted support within school.
Support from Croydon Local Authority
Croydon’s SEND Team is available to provide advice, guidance, and support:
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Phone: 020 8726 6400 (ext. 61884)
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Email: sen.enquiries@croydon.gov.uk
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Website (Local Offer):
Working Together for Your Child
Securing a specialist provision is a journey that requires teamwork and persistence. By working in partnership- parents, school and Local Authority- we can ensure your child is placed in the setting that best meets their needs, helping them to flourish and achieve their full potential.
Key contacts
Role | Person to contact | |
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SENCO | Mrs Anderson | a.anderson@meridianhigh.london |
Deputy SENCO | Miss Adamson | g.adamson@meridianhigh.london |
SEND Administrator | Mrs Patten | g.patten@meridianhigh.london |
Head of Inclusion | Mr Singleton | r.singleton@meridianhigh.london |
Lead Learning Mentor | Mrs Ongley | k.ongley@meridianhigh.london |
Lead Learning Mentor | Miss Clarke | m.clarke@meridianhigh.london |