Communication support service
Aims
Communication Support Service (CSS) is part of the council's department for children, young people and learners. We support the educational access and achievement of children and pupils with hearing impairment and visual impairment and encourage pupil participation in all aspects of school life.
The specialist teaching and support staff of CSS work within the context of the council's special educational needs and inclusion policy developing working partnerships with health professionals, families, carers, school staff and pupils. Our aim is to maximise for all pupils:
- educational achievement
- successful participation
- independence and confidence in the management of disability for life.
The service offers a wide range of individualised educational support to hearing impaired and visually impaired children and young people at all stages of the code of practice of special educational need. The service is available from diagnosis and continues throughout the pupil's school career as necessary.
Teaching and educational support are provided by specialist staff working in the hearing impairment and visual impairment peripatetic services and in resource bases established within three mainstream schools.
CSS also manages the council's resource base at Applegarth School. This provision is for 18 pupils with identified speech, language and communication needs.
The resource bases
The bases offer local day education provision for pupils with a statement of educational need which specifies the need for a specialist placement. Resource base teachers and support staff work flexibly with mainstream teachers to optimise pupil inclusion.
