The SEND Department
SENDCO
Mrs Victoria Abbs (vabbs@stmichaels.bhcet.org.uk)
Progress Support Assistants (PSA):
Miss A. Jackson
Mrs J. Mitchell
Mrs J. Richardson
Mrs A. Whittle
Mr M. Gunn
Miss A. Anifa
Our department:
The Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) department works with all students who have a SEND need or diagnosis. This includes children with physical disabilities, social, emotional and mental health needs and those with cognition and learning or communication and interaction needs.
The SEND department is located in the Good Shepherd Centre (GSC) and all SEND students have access to the GCS on a daily basis via their GSC pass, if needed. The GSC is a quiet environment where children can work with support from a PSA, where homework can be completed or where students can access intervention sessions. Regular intervention sessions include handwriting, Maths, reading and GCSE recall and revision.
The GSC also offers homework club, chill club and Minecraft Club. Students also come and work on social skills, dexterity activities and mindfulness.
The SEND department is the point of contact for all SEND needs and we work closely with many different external agencies. These include:
Alliance offer support for children with anxiety or worries around school. This includes Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Hartlepool and Stockton’s Needs Led Neurodevelopmental Pathway - NENC Tees Valley (icb.nhs.uk)
The MAAT Pathway team offer support to school for children who have Autistic traits. This service allows for assessments to be done prior to diagnosis.
Help and support services - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Help and Support (formally known as Early Help) offer support for children and their families in a broad range of areas including behaviour, routines, bullying and much more.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
CAMHS (Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service) works to support families around a child’s mental health needs. They also offer counselling for such concerns as trauma and PTSD.
Further information about Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health can be found on the school website.
Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health - St Michael's Catholic Academy (bhcet.org.uk)
