Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Flintshire County Council, Derbyshire County Council, Isle of Anglesey County Council
01/01/2008
In north Wales, the constructive working relationships between council officers and Local Health Board managers have helped to deliver good health service support for pupils with SEN and disabilities, including those placed in maintained special schools.
Pupils at Ysgol y Bont, Isle of Anglesey, benefit from the provision of a full-time school nurse and three nursing assistants, fully funded by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Pupils have good access to speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, according to their needs. Paediatric and dental clinics are held at the school, which is of benefit to pupils and their families, and also to other children in the area. Where pupils need specialised equipment, such as chairs and communication aids, these are normally provided by the Local Health Board.
There are positive working relationships between Flintshire County Council's inclusion service, including the finance officers, and their counterparts in the Local Health Board. These have led to successful joint funding agreements for services, equipment and additional support in the two special schools. Pupils in Ysgol Pen Coch and Ysgol Maes Hyfryd benefit from a very good level of service from school nursing. This provision is subject to joint funding agreements between Flintshire County Council and the Local Health Board. The Local Health Board contributes towards 1:1 support for specific children with identified health/medical needs in Flintshire special schools, and provides helpful training for education staff.
There are clear and long-standing arrangements in Denbighshire County Council for making decisions to place pupils out of county, and an agreement that the costs of such placements will be funded jointly by the Council and the Local Health Board.