Day to focus on special educational needs

James Qualtrough | January 21, 2013 | 0 Comments

Jersey’s Education Department is holding a one-off day to focus on how it helps students who have special needs.

A drop-in day is being held on Thursday 24 January in the Great Hall at Highlands College to explain what help is on offer and to collect views from people who use the services. Organisers hope that parents, students and other professionals will come along between 11.30am and 5.30pm to find out more and give feedback.

It is an informal event where staff will be on hand with displays to explain what they do and answer questions. There will also be a talk at 1pm and 4pm by early years/ special needs expert Dr Cathy Hamer entitled ‘Early intervention: The key to success?’

Cliff Chipperfield, Head of Inclusion, said: “It’s important to make sure every child has a chance to achieve their best at school and we help them do this with a range of services. It is a major area of expenditure for ESC and one that we constantly keep under review to ensure we are providing the right support at the right time to the people who need it.

“We would like to hear from teachers, other professionals, parents young people and interested members of the public. They can give their views in various ways at any time throughout the day.”

The subjects for information stands at the drop-in day will include:
• Physical needs
• Hearing impairment
• Visual impairment
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• Early years behaviour and communication
• Education other than at school
• English as an Additional Language