Meet our Head of Inclusion 

Miss Hayley Stevens 

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Information for Parents and Carers 2026–2027

At Bonneygrove and Millbrook Primary Federation, we believe that every child should be included, valued and given the opportunity to achieve their very best.

Some children need additional or different support at different points in their education. This may be because they have a Special Educational Need and/or Disability (SEND).

Our aim is to identify children's needs early, provide the right support and work closely with children, parents, carers and other professionals.

What is SEND?

A child may have SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability which means they require support that is additional to, or different from, that normally available to children of the same age.

Children's needs generally fall within four broad areas:

Communication and Interaction
For example, speech and language needs or autism.

Cognition and Learning
For example, difficulties with literacy, mathematics, memory or processing information.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health
For example, difficulties with emotional regulation, anxiety, attention or behaviour where this is related to an underlying need.

Sensory and/or Physical Needs
For example, hearing or visual impairment, sensory processing or physical needs.

A child does not need a diagnosis before we can provide SEND support.

How Will We Support My Child?

High-quality, inclusive teaching is the starting point for every child.

Teachers adapt their teaching to help children access learning successfully. Where a child requires additional support, this may include targeted interventions, small-group work, individual support, specialist resources, reasonable adjustments or advice from other professionals.

We use the SEND Graduated Approach:

Assess → Plan → Do → Review

Assess – We identify the child's strengths, needs and any barriers to learning.

Plan – We agree what support, strategies and outcomes are needed.

Do – The child's teacher and supporting adults put the agreed provision in place.

Review – We consider the impact of the support and decide what needs to happen next.

Parents and carers are an important part of this process.

How Do We Identify SEND?

We continually monitor children's learning, progress, development and wellbeing.

If a teacher has concerns, they will discuss these with the school's SENCo/Head of SEND. We will also listen carefully to concerns raised by parents and carers.

We may use assessments, observations and information from other professionals to help us understand a child's needs.

If you are concerned about your child, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance. You do not need to wait until a parents' evening.

Working With Parents and Carers

We want parents and carers to be fully involved.

We will:

• listen to your concerns;
• share information about your child's progress;
• explain additional support being provided;
• involve you when support is reviewed;
• listen to your child's views;
• discuss referrals to outside professionals with you where appropriate; and
• work together to agree the best way forward.

Early conversations and early support can make an important difference.

Working With Other Professionals

Sometimes a child may benefit from specialist advice or assessment.

With parents and carers, we may work with services such as Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, health professionals, advisory teachers and other specialist SEND services.

Most children with SEND have their needs successfully supported within mainstream education. Some children with more complex needs may require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Inclusion and Accessibility

Children with SEND are an important part of our school community.

We make reasonable adjustments and work to ensure children with SEND can participate in the curriculum, school activities, trips, clubs and wider school life alongside their peers.

Our Accessibility Plan explains how we work to improve access to the curriculum, physical environment and information for disabled pupils.

We do not treat disabled pupils less favourably because of their disability.

Transition

Transitions can be particularly important for children with SEND.

We support children when they:

start school → move between year groups → change teachers → move schools → transfer to secondary school.

Where additional transition arrangements are needed, these will be planned according to the individual child's needs.

Who Can I Speak To?

Your child's class teacher should normally be your first point of contact.

You can also contact:

Miss Hayley Stevens
Head of SEND / SENCo – Bonneygrove and Millbrook Primary Federation

Telephone: 01992 307900
Email: senco@bonneygrove.herts.sch.uk

Bonneygrove Primary School's main office can also be contacted on 01992 307900 or admin@bonneygrove.herts.sch.uk.

If you have a concern or complaint regarding SEND provision, please contact the school so that we can work with you to resolve the matter.

Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer

The Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer is an important resource for parents and carers.

It brings together information about education, health, social care, activities and support available to children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND and their families.

It includes information about:

• SEND support in schools;
• EHCPs;
• health and therapy services;
• autism and ADHD support;
• short breaks;
• social care;
• activities and clubs;
• support for parents and carers; and
• preparing for adulthood.

Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/local-offer/the-hertfordshire-local-offer.aspx

General Local Offer enquiries:
0300 123 4043
localoffer@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Where Else Can Parents Get Help?

Hertfordshire SENDIASS

SENDIASS – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service

SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information and advice to children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers.

They can help families understand SEND processes, their rights, SEND support and EHCPs and can support families to have their voices heard.

Telephone: 01992 555847
Email: info@hertssendiass.org.uk
Website: https://www.hertssendiass.org.uk

Hertfordshire Neurodiversity Support Hub

Parents and carers can contact the Neurodiversity Support Hub for advice and support relating to autism and ADHD.

Telephone: 01727 833963

No formal diagnosis is required simply to seek advice.

Hertfordshire 0–25 Together Service

The 0–25 Together Service provides social care support for eligible children and young people with disabilities and their families.

Telephone: 0300 123 4043
Email: 0-25_central@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Families First / Early Help

Families sometimes need additional help before difficulties become more serious.

Hertfordshire's Families First services can provide information and early support for children, young people and families.

Telephone: 0300 123 4043
Website: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/familiesfirst

SOS!SEN

SOS!SEN is an independent charity providing information and advice to families about SEND and education, including EHCPs.

Helpline: 0300 302 3731
Website: https://www.sossen.org.uk

Our SEND Commitment

At Bonneygrove and Millbrook Primary Federation, our approach is simple:

Identify Early → Listen → Understand the Need → Provide Support → Review the Impact

We want children with SEND to be included, independent, confident and successful.

Most importantly, we want parents and carers to feel that they can talk to us.

If you are worried about your child's learning, development, communication, behaviour, emotional wellbeing or any other aspect of their needs, please speak to us.

Working together gives us the best opportunity to provide the right support at the right time.

Statutory Information

This information forms part of our school's SEND Information Report and is reviewed at least annually. It should be read alongside our SEND Policy, Accessibility Plan, Equality Information and Objectives and Complaints Policy.

A paper copy can be provided free of charge on request.