In addition we recognise the importance of providing opportunities for young people to maintain contact with their peers within their school. We are committed to ensuring that all young people referred receive appropriate educational support from the Service, other relevant professionals and their own families.
Entitlement
All referrals must be made to The Teacher Coordinator for Children and Young People Provision on the appropriate referral form. Please click here to download the referral form: Medical Needs Referral Form (.pdf, 162KB) This must be accompanied by a letter from the young person's medical consultant confirming the need for education out of school.
Young people suffering physical or mental ill health are entitled to receive support, if their illness results in them being absent from school for a period exceeding 15 working days. Provision can begin before an absence of 15 working days, if we are informed on referral that the young person’s ill health will exceed this period.
When a young person is absent from school for a shorter period of time their school has a responsibility to provide them with work which can be completed at home. School should also make arrangements for the collection, assessment and return of such work.
Young people up to Year 10 are normally allocated six hours contact with a teacher each week, while Year 10 and Year 11 students receive a minimum of seven hours each week.
Details of Provision
On referral the service will meet with the young person's school to agree a Personal Education Plan. This details the work to be undertaken while the young person is unable to attend school.
A teacher is linked to a young person as soon as possible and the Service explained to them and their parents / carers. Parents / carers sign an agreement once the timing and details of sessions has been agreed. An individual education plan is developed for each pupil and monthly review reports prepared. These are shared with the pupil and parents / carers and are available to the school. Contact with the young person’s school must be maintained throughout their absence. Every effort is made to ensure that links are maintained and that a young person’s period of illness does not result in them falling too far behind their peers’ studies in school. Young people are also encouraged to maintain social links with staff and friends in school.
We also recognise the need to liaise with other agencies, which may be supporting a young person and their family. These may include colleagues within Children and Young People's Services (Educational Psychology Service, Special Needs Section, Positive Futures) or other external agencies (Health Services).
Teaching provision through the Service is provided in a number of settings, depending on individual need:
Home
It is possible for the Service to provide teaching in a young person’s home in circumstances when their physical or mental ill health prevents them from accessing education within their school or local community setting (see below). There must always be another adult apart from the teacher in the home when teaching takes place.
Hospital
When a Consultant notifies the Service that a young person is hospitalised for a long term stay (see ‘Entitlement’ above) teaching can be provided within the paediatric ward setting.
When a young person is hospitalised outside Wigan, responsibility for their continuing education temporarily lies with the local education authority where the hospital is located. On discharge colleagues within the regional paediatric hospitals can refer to the Service for continuing support.
Community
Whenever possible teaching is provided outside the young person’s home setting in order to encourage and support their return to school. It is sometimes more advantageous to the young person’s recovery if teaching sessions take place within their local community (libraries, community centres). Tuition also takes place in the The Olympic Centre, Platt Bridge. This arrangement can often provide a bridge between home and school.
On-Line Learning
In addition to 'face to face' contact with a teacher, it may be that we offer young people the opportunity to access additional learning opportunities 'on line'. These will be discussed with the young person and parents / carers on referral.
Reintegration
Support within the classroom setting can be part of a young person’s reintegration plan and may follow on from the support outlined above. This support may be offered on a short term basis if a school has concerns about the safety of a young person with a physical disability (temporary or permanent) on their return to school. In circumstances when a young person may require longer term support the school and family will be encouraged to refer to other appropriate agencies (Educational Psychology Service, Children and Young People's Services).
There may be circumstances when a young person is unable to cope with the classroom setting due to their anxieties about returning to school. On these occasions we teach the young person in an area within the school where they feel safe and comfortable. Together with colleagues in school, we can formulate a gradual reintegration into the classroom and enable the young person to have contact with their peers.
