Schools in Christchurch are able to buy in the Special Educational Needs Specialist Service from Dorset Council.

The service aims to: 

• provide specialist assessment 
• provide specialist teaching and advice for pupils with SEN 
• promote awareness and understanding through excellent and informed training and practice  
• develop confident, independent learning in partnership with other professionals, schools and parents 

Who can Access this Service 

The service provides support to pupils, schools and the local council for specific learning difficulties. This service is for school-aged children. The service must receive a referral from the school to provide this service, so speak to your school if you think your child needs this support.  

The difficulties the service provides support for include: 

• dyslexia 
• language disorder  
• dyspraxia  
• dyscalculia 
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 
• the wider range of SEN 

The service available to schools includes: 

• support for individual pupils 
• whole-school approaches to inclusion 
• training and modelling