Learning Support Service

Purpose of the Learning Support Service

The Learning Support Service provides an assessment, advisory and teaching service for children and young people with developmental, learning, sensory and physical difficulties (aged 0 to 19 years) and teaching support to pupils who are unable to attend school because of protracted illness. Their role is to:

• enhance the entitlements of children and young people described above by regarding them as the prime clients of the service. Children in the 'Looked After' system are a priority. 
• enhance the right of parents and carers as partners in promoting learning. 
• enhance learning in schools by working together with teachers and other adults who have day to day responsibility for children and young people with special educational needs. 
• contribute to a coherent and comprehensive service for children and young people with special educational needs, through collaboration with other Education services, Council support services and external agencies. 
• support the Bradford's Education and School Improvement's inclusion policies and strategies.

The children and young people

The children and young people who are the concern of the service fall within the broad definition of "learning difficulties", such as:

• developmental delay (pre 5), 
• general learning difficulties where progression in the National Curriculum is severely affected, 
• specific learning difficulties, 
• a need to access information technology, 
• sensory impairment. 
• physical impairment. 
• Autism spectrum disorder. 
• a protracted illness who are at home or hospital but are able to receive education

The Service also supports other teams who have pupils who require home tuition.

In all cases, specialist assessment advice and teaching will be required.

The Service will also work with children aged 0 to 5 and those who are registered pupils in mainstream education (5 to 19 years) except where the child requires specialist IT assessment in non-mainstream education.