VSEND is a tool designed to support professionals working with children and young people in Hertfordshire. Access to the VSEND tool follows a comprehensive training session.
The tool aims to standardise the approach to identifying needs earlier and improving outcomes for children and young people. It is part of the SEND Transformation in Hertfordshire. The tool and training are available to professionals including education, health, and social care teams, and any other professionals who may come into contact with VSEND through the course of their usual work. The VSEND tool and approach have a number of key benefits, establishing a common language when describing levels of need, analysing provision, and enabling planning of how to meet needs. It aids the work of professionals and promotes collaboration between staff and parents. It also supports the child by enabling robust tracking of progress made and supporting annual review and transition planning. The tool allows settings and professionals to build a peer support network and share best practice and support strategies. It supports settings to identify gaps and areas for further development (resource / budget allocation, training, and recruitment).
The VSEND training programme comprises of an initial training session, which is bespoke to the professionals’ sector (education, health, social care etc). Education settings then have a programme of refresher sessions and focused workshops provided through their DSPL Manager and SEND Lead. These all provide professionals with a better understanding of what the VSEND tool and approach is, how and when they might come across VSEND in their role, and how VSEND can support their role. The programme also offers a range of resources such as VSEND prompts and assessment statements, guidance slides for navigating the tool, and a printable sheet for parents.
https://thegrid.org.uk/send-andadditional-needs/hertfordshirevaluing-send-training-vsend