Accessing Support for Additional Needs in Primary School

We would like to reassure parents and carers that a formal diagnosis is not a requirement for your child to receive additional support in school. Accessing help is based on observed need. The decision to pursue a diagnosis is a personal one, made by you and your family, and it does not automatically entitle your child to additional funding or resources such as an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

If you have concerns that you or your child may have additional needs, you are encouraged to speak with your GP. You are also very welcome to discuss your concerns with your child’s class teacher. While neither the GP nor the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) can provide a formal diagnosis (e.g. for ADHD or autism), they can support you in exploring your concerns and, where appropriate, refer you for a specialist assessment.

Please be aware that the referral process for specialist assessments is often lengthy. In accordance with local and national guidance, we must first implement and monitor a range of support strategies over a period of at least six weeks. These strategies are reviewed and adapted as needed before a referral can be considered. This staged approach helps ensure that referrals are meaningful and evidence-based.

In addition, referrals to external services will not be accepted unless the following conditions are met:

• Evidence is provided that the parent or carer has completed an accredited Parenting Course,

• OR there is active involvement from a Family Worker or other support services.

We understand that this process can feel slow and sometimes frustrating. However, these requirements are in place to ensure that families are fully supported and that referrals are made in a consistent and equitable way. Please also be mindful that the paperwork and administrative workload involved in referrals is substantial, and our SENCo works extremely hard to balance this alongside day-to-day responsibilities.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to support your child in the most effective way possible.

Useful Support Services in Cambridgeshire

Here are some key services available to help families with children who have additional needs:

Community Paediatric Referral – What to Expect

Once a referral to the Community Paediatrics team has been made, there are three possible outcomes:

• Referral Accepted
  Your child will be placed on the waiting list for an assessment (please note that current waiting times are around 2 years). You will be contacted when an appointment becomes available. After the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining the paediatrician’s findings and any next steps.

• Referral Not Accepted
  You will receive a letter explaining why the referral was not accepted. This letter will include advice and information about alternative support options or next steps you can take.

• Further Information Required
  The team may ask for additional details before making a decision. This might include screening questionnaires or further input from school or healthcare professionals.