Moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties

Children and young people with learning difficulties may learn at a different pace from their peers, even with appropriate adaptations.

The information below may be suitable for primary and/or secondary pupils according to age, stage and individual needs.  

Websites

Supporting children with Cognition and Learning needs

Supporting children with Down Syndrome

Self-help resources

Resources for supporting children with Cognition and Learning needs

Resources for supporting children with Down Syndrome

Training

Moderate learning difficulties

Down syndrome and complex needs

  • Free online Bitesize Training ‘Supporting pupils with Down syndrome and complex needs’ provides in-school strategies which complement the Ordinarily Available SEND Provision. Attendance at the training is necessary before a referral can be made. Book training through education services.
  • Use the good practice checklist (in resources above) for school-based self-evaluation and to support implementation of good practice. This will also help decide whether further support from SENSS DSCN is required.
  • Online drop-in sessions are available. They provide an opportunity for school staff to discuss an individual pupil with the Down syndrome and complex needs team through collaborative, targeted problem-solving, on a no-names basis. We request that schools prepare a clear objective linked to cognition and learning, to discuss at the meeting. Sessions run monthly. Book a 20-minute slot via the website.

Specialist support in school

Educational psychology service

  • Bespoke training for schools and settings
  • Joint problem-solving/psychological consultation around a specific case or issue
  • Whole class /whole school interventions 

Find out more about what is available Educational Psychology Service.  

Down syndrome and complex needs team (SENSS)

Additional support is provided by the Special Educational Needs Support Service (SENSS).

What we do:

  • Support, advise and empower staff in mainstream school settings to understand the needs of children and young people with Down Syndrome and complex needs.
  • Provide assessment guidance, recommendations and advice in relation to the child / young person’s Down Syndrome and complex needs.
  • Ensure that the views, wishes, perspectives and experiences of children, young people and their parent/carers are fully reflected in their provision.
  • Support children and young people to develop a positive understanding of their own Down Syndrome and complex needs.
  • We use evidence-based practice to inform our approaches.

Who we offer this service to:

We work with children and young people with:

  • Down Syndrome and/ or complex learning needs from when they start reception until the end of Year 11 at a mainstream school.
  • A wide range of needs and significant difficulties in cognition and learning which affect many areas of the curriculum.

How and when we do it:

  • We are a service which is available during school term time.
  • The team comprises specialist advisory teachers.
  • We work closely with SENDCOs, class teachers, teaching assistants and any other key staff in schools.
  • We liaise closely with families and we work collaboratively with other agencies involved with the child.
  • We provide advice, recommendations and guidance.
  • We offer a range of training for schools, ranging from generalist to more specialist, individualised training.
  • If  additional SENSS DSCN support is required, please email the completed referral form and relevant documentation to senss@oxfordshire.gov.uk 
  • This should follow attendance at the DSCN Bitesize training, with impact monitored through the graduated approach (SEND Code of Practice), or following discussion with an advisory teacher.
  • Following the referral, a DSCN advisory teacher will arrange a virtual Teams meeting with the referrer to discuss the referral.

Children’s Integrated Therapies in Oxfordshire include:

The Occupational Therapy service helps children participate in everyday life and become as independent as practically possible at school and at home. The service provides assessments, advice, activity programmes and therapy for children with a range of physical or developmental conditions that affect their daily life.