web_buttons_help-support-advicesmweb_buttons_Healthsmweb_buttons_care-leavers-local-offerweb_buttons_Educationsmweb_buttons_Education-health-social-care-plansmweb_buttons_Children's-social-caresmweb_buttons_Leisuresmweb_buttons_preparing-for-adulthoodsmweb_buttons_Transportsmweb_buttons_Transportsmweb_buttons_Transportsmweb_buttons_Transportsm

Useful Information & Documents

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic information

Information for Children, Young People, Parents and Carers

0-5 Years Developmental Guide - Parental Booklet
Newborn to 5 years  – where you can get support and the different developmental stages
Searching for a School?
Looking for a local school – Search for a school
School Admission Information
Information for school admissions in Halton is available from www.halton.gov.uk/schooladmissions Please don’t hesitate to contact the Child Place Planning Team on 0151 511 7338/7271, or by emailing schooladmissions@halton.gov.uk, if you have any queries.
Free School Meals
Free school information is available from Halton Borough Council’s website
Help with School Uniform costs?
Halton Borough Council does not provide financial support for these costs, although the following advice may be helpful:

  1. Check with your local Halton Children Centres as they may have items available  Runcorn Children Centres and Widnes Children Centres
  2. Most supermarkets have non-branded school clothing available for purchase at a very low-cost
  3. Your child’s school may be able to provide support with the school uniform – you should contact them in the first instance
  4. Check the school website to access their School Uniform Policy for information on how they can help
  5. You could contact the school by phone or email to seek their help
  6. During school holidays, staff may still be available in school for you to contact them for advice by email
  7. If you don’t manage to get in touch with the school before the start of the new term, the Council’s Education Welfare Service advise that you don’t keep your child off school if you don’t have the correct school uniform.  Keeping your child off school without their permission would be classed as an unauthorised school absence
  8. You should dress your child for school in appropriate clothing i.e. plain trousers/skirt, plain polo t-shirt and/or a plain jumper
  9. As soon as possible on the first day of term, contact the school to seek their advice and ask for support (if you have been unable to contact school before this date)
Transitions, Leaving School, Looking Ahead?
Elective Home Education (EHE) Guidance Booklet for Parents and Carers

Elective Home Education is often referred to as EHE, see latest guidance below

EHE Guidance Booklet for Parents 2022

North West (NW) SEND Regional Network & other NW Local Offer websites

The North West SEND Regional Network is a partnership of all 23 Local Areas across the North West of England providing monthly newsletters, resources, information and links to the other Local Offer websites

Information for schools/settings

Equality Act 2010 Guide for School and Teachers

Council for Disabled Children – Equality Act 2010 – Guide for schools and what teachers need to know

Nurture Key Resources

Checklists-Questionnaire-Crib Sheet

Case Studies

Useful Resources

Strategy and Guides

PowerPoint Presentations

Halton Education Psychology Service – Supporting Parental Anxiety video

 

Halton Nurture Group Network

Please also see the box above titled ‘Nurture’ for more resources and information

SEN Support Plan, Review Sheet and Example
Halton Education Inclusion Charter
Halton Education Inclusion Charter
Halton Inclusion Conference 8th October 2019 Delegate Pack

The pack includes the Agenda, Halton Education Inclusion Charter, Guest Speaker presentations, Event Photos

Delegate Pack

English as an Additional Language (EAL) Translation Service for schools
Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions

Governing bodies have a statutory duty (Children and Families Act 2014) to ensure schools make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions.  A medical conditions policy is required to ensure pupils with medical conditions have full access to education, including physical education and school trips.

 

SENCO and Teaching Staff: A Guide to Supporting Children and Young People with SEND
A Guide to Supporting Children and Young People with SEND

Resources

Halton SEND Strategy 2021-2025

In Halton, the rights within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child will be at the heart of our practice. Halton SEND Strategic Partnership believes that every child and young person has a right to thrive, flourish and lead an ordinary life.  This should be without being labelled or restricted, no matter what their disability or ability. We want every child and young person to:

  • feel safe; valued; included and connected;
  • be given opportunities to be active and for physical and mental health;
  • be empowered to make choices that shape their lives with appropriate supportive relationships.

We believe the following priorities will help us to drive the work of Halton Children’s Trust to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND.

  • Working Better Together: By working better together needs are identified early and met at the right time, by services that are fully inclusive in practice and processes;
  • Preparing for Adulthood:  We will maximise young people’s ability to thrive, be independent and reach their goals for adult life;
  • Empowerment (Communication and Co-production): Professionals will work positively with children, young people and families to provide them with access to the information they need to build provision and services together;
  • Inclusive Education for CYP with SEND: Children and young people can fulfil their potential supported by educational settings.

For more details, here’s the link to the Halton SEND Strategy 2021-2025

Disability Access Fund (DAF) Early Years

From April 2017, the Government introduced the Disability Access Fund (DAF) this is new funding for early years childcare providers to support children with disabilities or special educational needs.

DAF is to support access to early years childcare provision by supporting providers in making reasonable adjustments to their settings and/or help build inclusive capacity (this may be for the child in question or to benefit children as a whole attending the setting).

Detailed information about the DAF eligibility criteria, entitlement, documentary evidence required, procedure, payment and application process can be found in the:

Hate Crime, Childline & Prejudiced Incidents

Hate Crime

Childline

  • Childline is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19

Prejudiced Incidents

Got Your Back Halton

  • Self-Referral can be made by you or your friends aged 18 or under if you have been a victim of crime
  • Referral by a Professionals/Agency – parental or guardian permission is required to pass the young person’s details on to the service
  • Got Your Back Halton Tel: 0800 6406466, Text GYBMentor to 82228, Email halton@gyb.org.uk 
Everyone - Early Help Strategy

Everyone – Early Help Strategy 2018-20121 This strategy aims to build upon the good practice and existing strategies from early help and prevention which already exists in Halton.  The overall aim is to support people to maximise their potential, and as a consequence, enjoy a better quality of life.  Early help approaches are often ‘enabling’: equipping individuals and communities with the tools to succeed, rather than interventions being imposed upon them.

Halton Children’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
The Halton Children’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) identifies ‘the big picture’ in terms of the health and wellbeing needs and inequalities of the local population. It is based on the analysis of current and predicted health and well-being outcomes and sets out what people want from their services. The JSNA is underpinned by partnership working, community engagement and evidence of effectiveness.
Halton Joint Commissioning Strategy 2018-2021
The Halton Joint Commissioning Strategy 2018-2021 explains what we mean by commissioning and how each of the commissioning organisations within Halton has clear areas of responsibility, we believe that in most cases it takes more than one agency to provide the services needed by local communities and individuals. We are committed to developing integrated commissioning arrangements that ensure all of the necessary agencies work closely together to complement and support integrated frontline delivery to meet the needs of local people.
Halton SEND Joint Commissioning Framework 2016-2020
The Halton SEND Joint Commissioning Framework 2016-2020 is to improve educational, health and emotional wellbeing outcomes of our children with a SEND.  It links with both the Halton Joint Commissioning Framework 2018-2021 and the Halton SEND Strategy 2016-2020.
All-Age Autism Strategy
The All-Age Autism Strategy in Halton aims to take a more joined-up and holistic approach to developing opportunities and realising potential for people with Autism at every stage in their lives
Children’s Education Advisory Service (Ministry of Defence families)
Advice and guidance to MOD families, educational establishments and local authorities on educational issues relating to Service children, including issues relating to SEND
Accessibility and SEND Strategies