Menu
Home Children, families and education Somerset’s SEND Local Offer Governors’ responsibilities

Governors’ responsibilities

Sets out the responsibilities of school governors in identifying and meeting the needs of all children and young people

Part of
Somerset’s Graduated Response Tool

The purpose of this pathway is to ensure every child and young person in a Somerset school receives the support they are entitled to

Navigate this page
Back to Somerset’s SEND Local Offer

Part of
Somerset’s Graduated Response Tool

The purpose of this pathway is to ensure every child and young person in a Somerset school receives the support they are entitled to

1

Statutory Special Educational Needs (SEN) information

Statutory Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) information
2

Understanding the Graduated Response

Somerset Inclusion Tool (SIT)What is the Graduated Response?The Assess, Plan, Do, Review CycleScreening and Assessment Tools as part of the APDR processEducation, Health and Care Plans (EHC plans)
3

Funding

FundingAvailable funding
4

Expectations for Teachers, Governors, SENCOs and Headteachers

What different people in schools should doGovernors’ responsibilitiesHeadteachers’ responsibilitiesTeachers’ responsibilitiesSENCOs’ responsibilities
5

Expectations for Whole School Inclusion

Expectations for Whole School Inclusion
6

Quick checkers

Quick Checker – Cognition and LearningQuick Checker – Communication and InteractionQuick Checker – Sensory and PhysicalQuick Checker – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
7

Inclusion for each Broad Area of Need

Information about the four areas of need set out in the Code of Practice

Inclusion for each Broad Area of Need
8

Cognition and Learning

Universal – Cognition and LearningSEN support – Cognition and LearningHow can I find out more? – Cognition and Learning
9

Communication and Interaction

Universal – Communication and InteractionSEN Support – Communication and InteractionHow can I find out more? – Communication and Interaction
10

Sensory and Physical

Universal – Sensory and PhysicalSEN Support – Sensory and PhysicalHow can I find out more? – Sensory and Physical
11

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Universal – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)SEN support – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)How can I find out more? – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
12

Graduated Response Tool – Complex Medical Needs

Graduated Response Tool – Complex Medical Needs
13

Supporting tools, documents and signposting

Supporting tools, documents and signposting

Overview

Governors must:

  • be aware of their legal duties concerning children and young people with SEN as stated in the Special Educational Needs and/or Disability Code of Practice, and Children and Families Act 2014 and have a good working understanding of these documents
  • make sure that there is a suitably qualified teacher designated as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
  • make sure that SEN duties are undertaken effectively across the organisation including but not limited to identification of needs, responding to SEN , a broad and balanced curriculum, record keeping of SEN provision and engagement and participation for all children and young people
  • make sure the school’s notional SEN budget is appropriately allocated to support children and young people with SEN
  • have a member of the board with specific oversight for the school’s SEN arrangements
  • build a good working relationship with the SENCO and meet with them regularly
  • help to review the school’s policy on provision for children and young people with SEN and the school’s approach to meeting their needs
  • make sure that the school website publishes the school’s SEN offer and links to The Local Offer

The governing body has the legal duty to focus on the school’s systems and processes for supporting children and young people with SEN rather than provision for individual children and young people.

information

Did you know?

Any governing body that subscribes to the Support Services for Education (SSE) Governor Services package can access a toolkit on its resource page. There is also specific SEN Governor training available. For more information please visit: Education Governance Services

Last reviewed: April 10, 2024 by Sophie

Next review due: October 10, 2024

Back to top