Support from specialist teachers

The role of the Physical Disabilities (PD) Team is to promote the successful inclusion and progress of children and young people (CYP) with a range of physical disabilities to achieve their personal best, working in partnership with settings, parents and other agencies. The Team offers an advisory service and work term time only.

Who do the Specialist Teacher PD Team support?

The PD Team work with CYP with or without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) from Early Years up to the age of 25 if they are still in full-time education. The Specialist Teachers provide support in mainstream settings only and give advice and guidance for CYP who have a complex physical need impacting significantly on their gross or fine motor skills.

Examples of conditions where the PD team provide support:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida
• Muscular Dystrophies
• Spinal Trauma
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Functional Neurological Disorder
• Ehlers Danlos
• Mitochondrial Disease
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

How are children and young people referred to the PD Team?

Referral is through the Integrated SEND Team, SENCO, Setting or other professionals e.g. therapists. Referrals can be made with or without a formal diagnosis and should be sent by email to sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

What support does the PD Team provide?

Support from the PD Team may include:

• Explaining the nature of the physical disability and the implications of the condition
• Observing the CYP within the setting and speaking with them to collect and understand pupil voice
• Providing advice and strategies regarding access to the whole school curriculum so that CYP are able to achieve their full potential
• Identifying strategies that enable independence and empower children and young people
• Providing advice to ensure that CYP are able to access the site as independently and safely as possible
• Advising on appropriate equipment, materials and resources to support access and inclusion
• Completing assessments to determine if adaptations to the site are required
• Coordinating discussions with School Commissioning Projects Team regarding required adaptations/building works
• Advising on appropriate access arrangements for internal and external examinations
• Providing advice for High Needs Block Funding (HNBF) requests and/or as part of the needs assessment process for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Contributing to annual reviews of a CYP’s EHCP
• Advising on target setting for the CYP (at SEN Support or EHCP level)
• Monitoring the progress of CYP towards outcomes
• Providing advice to ensure that CYP with PD make a successful transition
• Advising on post-16 options including college courses and apprenticeships

Contact the PD Team

Email: sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk 

Phone: 01494 475199