WESC Foundation to host Open Day
On 27 February 2014, WESC Foundation will host an Academies Open Day aimed at informing teachers, principals, Special Education Needs (SEN) professionals and anyone who works with visually impaired young people in an academy setting on how they can best support learners with a visual impairment.
The Open Day is being held in direct response to the Families and Children Bill, which was published by the Government in February and comes into effect towards the end of 2014. Academies, of which there are 60 across Devon, are currently required to follow the law and guidance on admissions, SEN and exclusions as if they were maintained schools, however this is all set to change.
In future, local councils will have to:
- draw up an education, health and care (EHC) plan instead of a statement of SEN for children and young adults aged 0 to 25 years;
- publish a ’local offer’ of services it expects to be available for all children and young adults with SEN;
- plan, buy in, and work closely with health bodies when arranging services for children and young adults with SEN;
- give a personal budget to children or young adults with an EHC Plan if asked to do so by the parent or the young adult.
The Open Day will include discussions on all the necessary specialist services, equipment and facilities that are available to teachers and visually impaired learners. It will also inform attendees of how WESC Foundation can provide support in a mainstream setting, what learners have to say about the support that is provided and how WESC Foundation’s Outreach provision already works.
Mark Braithwaite, Head of VI Business Development said: “We are looking forward to working more closely with academies to provide SEN services. In particular, WESC Foundation is hoping to work with local academies on joint funding bids and on further research and development activity to quantify service impact on learning outcomes.”
The WESC Foundation is a non-maintained independent specialist day and residential centre offering a unique experience for children, young people and adults with visual impairments. Its innovative learner-centred approach applies the latest techniques designed to transform the lives of its young people and adults.
WESC Foundation’s network of partnerships currently includes mainstream and special schools alongside a range of Further and Higher Education (FE/HE) providers to support young people and adults in the wider community.
WESC Foundation’s Academies Open Day takes place on 27 February 2014 from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Anyone interested in attending or finding out more information should contact Katy Gaulton on 01392 454235 or email kgaulton@wescfoundation.ac.uk
