Specialist Teaching Service

We believe that all people of Leicestershire should have lifelong access to high quality education and training for vocational, social and personal needs to improve the quality of their life and contribute to the economic and cultural development of this country and beyond.

The central role of the Specialist Teaching Service is to provide a comprehensive range of high quality support to assist parents, schools, early years settings and other professionals in meeting the often complex needs of children with special educational needs, and to support the Leicestershire Education Authority in fulfilling its statutory duties.

The Specialist Teaching Service is committed to the principle of community education and to promoting equal opportunities for all learners. In doing so, Service Teams work in partnership with the statutory agencies and the voluntary sector in developing educational provision in Leicestershire for children with special education needs.

The County Council's corporate objectives, Leicestershire Education Authority policies and plans and the identified needs of specific groups of children inform Service policies and objectives.

In support of the Leicestershire Education Authority's Special Education Needs Development Plan the Service will:-

• Provide a cohesive range of specialist support within an interdisciplinary framework covering the full age range and range of ability.
• Provide a child focused service working in partnership with parents/carers, early years settings, schools staff, governors, other LEA services, statutory agencies and voluntary bodies.
• Support local and national initiatives to raise standards of teaching and learning and to maximise children's levels of achievement.
• Enhance the skills of early years practitioners and school staff in developing inclusive policy and practice.
• Work with others in developing locally accessible S.E.N. provision.
• Monitor the use of resources to ensure their effectiveness.
• Monitor educational outcomes for specified groups of children with special educational needs.
• Contribute to the work of the Leicestershire Education Authority in strengthening the role of children and parents in decision making.
• Consult with stakeholders to ensure that the service is responsive.
• Seek development of Service provision through quality assurance, performance management of all Service staff and continuous professional development.
• Report annually to stakeholders on Service activity