Social services

As with the Health Authority, social services should designate an officer who is responsible for working with schools and LEAs on behalf of those pupils with special educational needs. Social services may also be involved with children and young people in public care or those ‘in need’. The SEN Toolkit, Section 11: The role of social services (DfES, 2001a: 7) also states that at a strategic level, social services departments with NHS bodies should make sure: ‘that school and early education settings are aware of the full range of local services they provide’. It is perhaps with this service that the misunderstanding of roles and the services options to be offered, can cause situations that are unhelpful or even damaging for a pupil. This is undoubtedly due to the emotional and attachment issues that can ‘cloud’ judgements when social service support is required, especially in an emergency situation. Clarifying structures and procedures to be adhered to prior to a child protection incident, for example, may ensure that a pupil requiring emergency support will find professionals working together in a coherent, supportive and effective manner.