Pre-school referral process
Pre-school referrals are made to the Gateshead 0-4 Referral Meeting which has multi-agency representation and is held fortnightly during term-time. Referrals are discussed and allocated to the most appropriate team or service based on each child's individual needs.
About the Gateshead (0-4) Referral Meeting
The Gateshead (0-4) Referral Meeting is for children who have additional needs where specialist Education, Health and Care services may be required. Each meeting is attended by a team of professionals from different services who act as a single point of referral for pre-school aged children (0-4 years old).
The aim of the meeting is to help you and your child get all the support and advice you need in a joined up and more effective way. The meeting provides an opportunity for services to work together.
Why your child is being referred to the meeting
Regular developmental checks are carried out with your child by the health visitor, key person in the nursery setting and may be carried out by other Professionals involved with your child. These checks help to identify as early as possible any additional developmental needs so that appropriate support can be provided. This support is usually provided by services in health and education, and sometimes social care.
To access these services your child's health visitor or nursery may suggest a referral to Gateshead's 0-4 Referral Meeting. A referral will only be accepted with your signed parental consent which shows you have agreed to the referral being submitted and to information being shared with all services that attend.
A referral will be made (with your agreement), if:
- specialist education, health or care services are needed;
- your child's needs can't be met from a single agency;
- your child needs further assessment; or your child's needs continue to give concern
How the meeting works
The meeting is held fortnightly (term time only) and is attended by professionals from education, health and social care. Referrals will be discussed by members and a record of your child and the services they are offered will be kept.
Possible outcomes might be:
- provide additional educational assessment, intervention or support for your child;
- refer your child for assessment to the Child Development Team;
- identify other agencies that should be involved; and
- recommend to the Local Authority that your child accesses additional support or assessment (if appropriate).
Once a decision has been made, this will be shared with the person who completed the referral with you. They will share the outcome of the meeting and may provide you with additional information.
It may be appropriate for your child to be discussed on more than one occasion, if there is a need to look again at your child's needs or the support required. Written consent will not be requested again but you will be kept informed if any new services are offered.
Services represented at the meeting
Special Educational Needs Inclusion Team
This is a team of portage workers, specialist teachers and teaching assistants, habilitation officer, and specialist speech and language therapist. The team may offer assessment, intervention, support and reviews for children experiencing barriers to their development and learning, and for whom specialist intervention may be recommended.
Early Years Area SENCOs Area
SENCOs are a team of specialist teachers who work closely with early years settings to ensure your child is fully included within his/ her setting/school. They support schools/ early years settings with early identification of children with special educational needs and support with referrals to appropriate agencies for assessment.
Educational Psychologists
Educational psychologists work with parents, teachers, health and social care professionals to assess and advise on strategies for children and young people who are experiencing barriers to their learning. Referrals to the service are made through your child's school/ setting.
Early Years Childcare service The Early Years and Childcare Service offers support and advice to day nurseries, preschools, childminders, out of school clubs, holiday care and independent schools to ensure they continue to offer high quality childcare which can be accessed by young children. In monitoring the take up of funded childcare places, they are able to identify if there is sufficient childcare places within areas of Gateshead.
Child Development Team
The Child Development Team provides an assessment service and brings together professionals with specialist experience. Your child may be seen by any of the following as appropriate to their needs:
- Consultant paediatrician
- Physiotherapist
- Speech and language therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Dietician
- Specialist teacher/portage
The paediatrician will discuss aspects of your child's health with you and examine your child and the therapists present will be assessing your child through play activities. You will receive feedback which will be given by one or more of the team and your questions/queries will be answered. The team may provide you with activities and advice to help your child meet their next stage of development.
Speech and Language Therapy Service
The Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team supports the children and young people in Gateshead who struggle to communicate. They enable them to maximise their communication skills, to access education, to increase their social participation and ultimately to achieve independence. Where possible, they work closely with you and with other professionals.
Children with Disabilities Team
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Team provides emotional and practical social care support to meet the needs of children who have substantial, long-term disabilities which have a profound impact on their lives. Our vision is for families with disabled children to have the support they need to live ordinary lives as a matter of course.
Growing Healthy Gateshead 0-19 Service
Health visitors are part of this integrated service for families, expectant mothers, children and young people that offers interventions from the ante-natal stage up to the age of 19.
Referral form
Gateshead 0-4 referral form (PDF, 527 KB)(opens new window)
Referral panel info for parents/carers (PDF, 339 KB)(opens new window)
Referral to Early Years Service Form (PDF, 198 KB)(opens new window)
For more information contact: Christina Birkinshaw, SEN Inclusion Team on 0191 433 8734 or email christinabirkinshaw@gateshead.gov.uk