Parents’ FAQ

What is SEBD?

‘Social, emotional or behavioural difficulties’ refers to a condition in which an individual responds and behaves in a way that differs from behaviour that is generally accepted as age appropriate, taking into account ethnic and cultural norms.  These difficulties become a matter of concern when they adversely affect social relationships, academic progress and self care.  The behaviour may be evident at several levels:

• At a personal level such as low self esteem, anxiety, depression or withdrawal, resentment, vindictiveness or defiance

• Verbally, when a child might be silent or might threaten, interrupt, argue or swear
• At a non verbal level shown by clinging, truancy, failure to observe rules, disruptiveness, destructiveness, aggression or violence
• At a practical ‘work skills’ level, demonstrated by an inability or unwillingness to work without direct supervision, to concentrate, to complete tasks or to follow instructions

Many such children are unable to trust or to form relationships with peers and adults.  Whether or not a child is considered to have emotional and behavioural difficulties will depend on the nature, frequency, persistence, severity or abnormality and cumulative effect of the behaviour, in context, compared with normal expectations for a child of the age concerned.

What is a Statement of Educational Needs?

A Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) sets out your child's needs and the help they should have.  It is reviewed annually to ensure that any extra support given continues to meet your child's needs.

A Statement of SEN is set out in six parts.  These include general information about your child and a list of the advice the authority received as part of the assessment, a description of your child's needs following the assessment and the special help to be given for your child's needs.  When it is complete it also specifies the type and name of the school your child should go to and how any arrangements will be made out of school hours or off school premises.  The Statement also describes any non-educational needs your child has and describes how your child will get help to meet any non-educational needs. 

You are sent a draft Statement before your local authority writes a final Statement.  It will be complete except for part four, which describes the type and name of school or education provided out of school.  Part four will be left blank so that you can say what educational provision you want for your child.  You have time to review the draft Statement and have the right to disagree with its contents.  You have 15 days to comment and to say which state school, or non-maintained special school or independent school, you want your child to go to.

You can also ask for a meeting with the local authority and you have another 15 days to ask for more meetings after that.  Within 15 days of your last meeting, you can send in any more comments.  If you would like more time to comment, you should talk to the 'Named Officer' at your local authority.  This is the officer at the local authority who you will have been told is dealing with your child's case.

The local authority must make the final Statement within eight weeks of the draft Statement.  It will send you a copy with part four filled in with the name of a school.  The Statement starts as soon as the local authority completes it.

Will you be able to cater for my child’s needs?

The short answer to this is that we will do everything we can to ensure that we do so.  Cedar House School has built up an extensive reputation of success with children who have experienced repetitive failures in other schools.  We are judged as an ‘Outstanding Provider’ by Ofsted and have received awards that include Customer Service Excellence and Investors in People in recent years.  The whole school and its staff are dedicated to providing a safe, secure and caring environment, in which children’s personal growth and development is actively promoted by teaching in small groups, individual work and whole school activities.  Opportunities to experience success, learn from mistakes and build trusting relationships help pupils to grow and develop confidence and self-esteem.

Who do I need to call to arrange a visit to the school?

In the first instance call Sarah Williamson, our Pupil Liaison Officer, on 01524 271181.  If Sarah is not available then you just need to speak to the senior staff on duty and they will be able to help you.

Will I be involved in my child’s education?

Parents and carers are encouraged to become our partners in their children’s education.   You will be kept informed of your child’s progress and of any significant events that occur on a regular basis by your child’s Keyworker.  We welcome dialogue and input by parents at all times.  Your child’s Statement will be reviewed every year and parents and carers are invited to the meeting where this takes place in school.  Cedar House School holds an Open Day every year where pupils’ work and achievements are celebrated.

How do I make a complaint about your school?

If you want to complain about any treatment you or your child has received by the school you can complain to the school itself, either in writing or by telephone.  You might prefer to make a complaint to someone else, in which case you can complain to the Witherslack Group by writing to:

Mr M Barrow, Managing Director,
Management Team Office,
Bank Studio, Princes Way,
Leasgill, Milnthorpe,
Cumbria LA7 7FG

Or by telephoning him on 015395 65718.  If you want your complaint to be heard by someone who is not directly involved in the school or the company that owns it, you can complain to your Local Authority or the Department for Education.

Can I speak to someone informally about my child?

Sarah Williamson, our Pupil Liaison Officer, is available every day between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.  You can telephone the school at any time before 8.00 pm and speak to the senior member of staff who is on duty.  If you want to speak to a particular member of staff, for example the Head of Care or the Headteacher, you can leave a message if they are unavailable and they will call you back as soon as possible. 

When is your school’s open day?

The school holds an open day every year, usually in the summer term.  Parents and carers are invited and are welcome to view exhibitions, slideshows and displays of pupils’ writing, illustrations and achievements.  They can also see the school at work in a demonstration lesson.

How does the admission process work?

When your child is assessed and the Statement is written, a referral from the Local Authority is sent to a school which the LA believes will be able to meet the child’s needs.  Parents and carers are able to state their preferences and make choices between schools both at this stage and later, once they have visited schools that might be able to admit their child.  

Once the school has decided, after reading the Statement, that they could potentially meet the child’s needs, an interview is arranged so that all interested parties, including the child, parents and carers, Local Authority representatives, Social Workers and Educational Psychologists can, if they wish, visit the school and meet some of the staff.  This interview also gives the school an opportunity to meet the child. 

Admission can be arranged within two or three weeks of this interview as long as all parties are in agreement.  

I have been called to a Review Meeting.  What will happen and who else will be present?

The formal purpose of the Review Meeting is to ensure that the provision that has been made for your child is still appropriate and to amend the Statement if necessary.  The school will also set targets and objectives for the coming year and will review those that were set at the previous meeting. 

The Review Meeting is also a time for parents and carers to see how their child is progressing at school and to make a contribution to the targets that are set for them. 

Along with parents, carers and staff from the school, the meeting may be attended by other people.  These might include, for example, Social Workers, Educational Psychologists, representatives from the Local Authority and, for older pupils, Connexions staff.

 - Parent Handbook