SEN staff can avail of support for pupils from various outside agencies. If a child is referred to an outside agency who works for The Education Authority, they will have reached Stage 3 of the Five Stage Model of the Code of Practice. This means that after using strategies for stages 1 and 2 more support is required.

Such outside agencies consist of the following:

Ardmore House School

• A school for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties at Key Stage 3 in school. An outreach teacher will come to school once per week to support a pupil and if necessary an application for placement at Ardmore can be made. Placement is usually for one term only.

Alternative Education Programme

• If a pupil reaches Key Stage 4 and is still struggling with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties application can be made to gain a place on a more suitable education programme.

Educational Psychology

• If there are concerns that a child is not making progress a referral can be made for consultation with the allocated school psychologist. The psychologist may simply give advice or carry out assessments with a view to a statement and SEN provision.

The Education Authority’s Sensory Service

• This service provides advice to school and support for pupils with hearing or visual impairment, on the Autistic Spectrum or has another type of specific complex need.

EA Literacy Service

• This service will offer advice to schools for a pupil with a specific learning difficulty such as Dyslexia.

Middletown Centre for Autism

• This service offers support and training for teachers and parents. Parents can find out what programmes of training and support are available at 02837515750.