In Essex there are 11 of us (about half are part-time), including 9 Specialist Teachers and 2 new Sensory Support Specialists.  It is a big county!  I will copy over some of the info from our Infolink page, which basically explains what we do but if you need more info, please contact me at jo.lambert@essex.gov.uk

Overview

Our aim is for children and young people (o to 25 years) with physical difficulties and medical needs to be able to attend mainstream settings.

Our support helps them to be safe, learn, make progress, socialise and join in with all aspects of school life.

Our PNI Specialist Teacher support can vary from setting to setting and be tailored to the unique needs of individuals and staff supporting them.

PNI support

We provide some or all of the following support, depending on the level of need:

• Advice about accessing off-site visits and extracurricular activities
• Advice and strategies around preparing for adulthood
• Advice via telephone calls, emails, face-to-face meetings, visit notes or signposting to useful websites or organisations
• Close communication with other care professionals - including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social works and speech and language therapists
• Curriculum support for school staff to meet learning, medical and physical needs
• Information about and sourcing of specialist equipment - including technology and training where needed
• Learning assessments towards informing next steps and maximising progress
• Physical environment and setting assessments - including advice on necessary adjustments
• Staff training in understanding conditions and disabilities and their impacts on education
• Self-help and independent skill support to build confidence, self-esteem and self-advocacy to aid expression of views and communication of needs
• Support and advice at the point of transition into education and between education settings
• Transition support for individuals, families and settings when moving to another setting