Children with special educational needs are taught in their local mainstream school whenever possible. All schools have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) who ensures that children with special needs get the right kind of help.

Enhanced mainstream schools (EMS)

Some North Yorkshire schools have been specially equipped to support children with particular needs. These are called "enhanced mainstream schools" or EMS. Enhanced mainstream schools have been set up across the county to cater for

• behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
• communication and interaction (including autistic spectrum condition and speech, language and communication needs); and
• cognition and learning (including specific learning difficulties)

Pupils who are referred by professionals for support from an enhanced mainstream school will remain on the roll of their own school and receive support from staff based at the enhanced mainstream school. If they require intensive support, they may on occasions visit the enhanced mainstream school itself.

Each of the schools selected to become an enhanced school will have specialist staff who will provide support for the education of children and young people within the school as well as providing outreach support to primary and secondary schools within their local area.

Special schools

Sometimes it is necessary for children with more complex problems to attend a special school. Special schools meet a variety of special educational needs with specialist staff and facilities. Some of the special schools in North Yorkshire are residential.

In a very small number of cases, it may not be possible to meet the special needs of an individual child within North Yorkshire. In such cases, and after careful discussion with parents/carers, some children may attend special schools outside the county.

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Useful downloads Special Educational Needs: A Guide for Parents and Carers [466kb] Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) information leaflet62 pages) SEN Code of Practice [3Mb] File size: 3.24 Mb, 217 pages in total. Statutory Assessments and Statements - Information for parents and carers [222kb] 35 pages   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. Direct.gov Special Educational Needs section Information for parents on special educational needs and disabilities SEN placements - frequently asked questions Who do I contact about my child's placement? Contacts The education office - Harrogate (general office) aandi.harrogate@northyorks.gov... Tel: 0845 0349467 Full details for The education office - Harrogate (general office)