New Warwickshire Specialist Teaching Service (STS) – Launch April 2017

We recognise that learners’ needs are becoming more complex and inter-related.  We are reorganising our services to address this need, and the IDS Communication and Interaction Team (Autism Team and Specific Language Disorder Team) and EIS have been working to design a new Specialist Teaching Service to meet the needs of vulnerable learners.  

A primary head teacher reference group and a secondary SENCo reference group were set up to consult on the model for the Specialist Teaching Service.  

Specialist Teaching Service Model

The objectives of our new service model are:

• A transparent and equitable service for high incidence SEND pupils across the county.
• A clear and transparent SEND specialist teaching service offer in Warwickshire that clarifies the functions and funding basis for the service.
• The WES offer for schools will provide greater coherence and reduce duplication.
• School staff will be able to draw on staff with skills across the 3 high frequency broad areas of need (SEMH, Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction).
• Services for vulnerable learners and their families will be improved through the closure of gaps in service provision.

Leadership and Staffing

The new leadership structure will be shared with schools over the next few months. There will be three area bases: Centre / South, East and North. Staff from all specialisms will be represented in all 3 bases.

Groups of subscribing schools will, as with the current model, be allocated a Specialist Teacher working within the areas of SEMH and Cognition and Learning.    From April 2017, this teacher will be supported by a Specialist Teacher within the area of Communication and Interaction, giving subscribing schools access to a full range of SEND expertise.

In providing support to schools, Communication and Interaction teachers currently have individual caseloads and this will be maintained in the short term as we move towards a more school based service.

All Primary schools, regardless of subscription will be supported under the Memorandum of Understanding.

Primary and Secondary schools are invited to subscribe through the WES traded offer.  There is also the opportunity to buy as you need.

Details of our traded offer to schools will be available through WES in January 2017.

Schools and consortia are welcome to contact Area Managers or Assistant Area Managers if they have any further questions about the new service:

• Northern area - 01926 413777
• Centre/ South area – 01926 476600
• Eastern area - 01926 418130