Targeted and Specialist Provision

Levels of support and provision

Universal

The needs of the majority of children should be met through a universal approach. Universal provision and support is intended for all children. In educational settings it may be described as Wave 1 provision or Quality First Teaching and may include whole school projects or initiatives such as ECAT and Language Link.

However children whose needs are not met by the universal approach alone may need some additional provision and support.

Targeted provision

Targeted provision is generally support, provision or services for groups of children who may have additional needs but have not been individually referred to a specialist service. In educational settings children at this level of support may be considered to be at Early Years Action or School Action on the SEN Code of Practice. This level of provision may also be referred to as Wave 2

Early Years Action or School Action (SEN Code of Practice DfES 2001) may need to be considered if the child is not making 'adequate' (as defined by SEN Code of Practice) or satisfactory progress or if there are on-going concerns. One of the purposes of EY or School Action is to inform provision and to ensure that children receive appropriate and timely support.

Specialist provision

Specialist provision generally refers to support and services provided by specialists in education, health or social care following individual referral and specialist assessment.  In educational settings children at this level of support may be considered to be at Early Years Action Plus or School Action Plus on the SEN Code of Practice. In schools, this level of provision may also be referred to as Wave 3.

Early Years (EY) Action Plus or School Action Plus is characterised by the involvement of external support services who can provide more specialist assessments and give advice on additional strategies and resources to help support the child. The decision to move a child to EY or School Action PLUS should be taken if the child is not making reasonable progress, as defined by the SEN Code of Practice (DfES, 2001) at EY Action or School Action.

© Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire PCT 2011.

This page was last reviewed 17 May 2013 at 13:41.
The page is next due for review 13 November 2014.