When schools identify concerns about teaching and learning issues in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), for an individual pupil or a group of pupils, they should first use the Mainstream Core Standards to identify what can be done to support the pupils' access to the curriculum and ability to make progress from within the schools own resources.
If further support is required, SENCo’s must attend the relevant surgery for advice and support, before submitting a LIFT referral (The Local Forum Team Request Form). Please check out dates and book a place for the surgery on our Surgeries Page. There are, of course, exceptions to this, but in such instances, please contact Emma Holt directly.
If it is considered that additional advice, training or support is needed then the Local Inclusion Forum Team Request Form should be completed and a request made for the issues to be discussed at the next LIFT meeting. These meetings are held every week in each District. Schools will be allocated a group to attend each term. Schools must gain parental consent prior to referral
At the LIFT, the school will have the opportunity to discuss the issue or case in more detail with colleagues from other schools, an Educational Psychologist and representatives from district-based specialist outreach providers, including specialist teachers. The aim of the discussion is to find solutions to problems, drawing on the knowledge, experience, and expertise of everyone in the group so that schools can make better provision from within their existing resources.
The most common outcomes from a LIFT discussion are:
Advice, support, and ideas from the discussion at the meeting to take back and try
Access to training programmes or the opportunity for bespoke training
Support from another school
Specialist Intervention from a specialist teacher, special school outreach teacher, Educational Psychologist (through the core discretionary offer or commissioning) or other district-based SEND providers
A recommendation that the school should consider a referral to Early Help
A recommendation that the school considers seeking advice from appropriate health professionals
LIFT Paperwork & Guidance
