Specialist learning support service

The Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people aged 2½ to 19 across East and West Suffolk, within the NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, who

• have complex, long‑term or life‑limiting health needs
• meet the Children and Young People’s Continuing Care criteria, or are assessed as demonstrating clinical exceptionality
• require specialist health interventions during the education day to enable safe access to learning

This includes, but is not limited to, children and young people who are reliant on medical technology such as non‑invasive ventilation, tracheostomy care or oxygen therapy.

Many, though not all, children and young people supported by the service have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The Specialist Learning Support Service provides Specialist Learning Support Assistants (SpLSA’s) who work under the delegation, training and supervision of registered children’s nurses.

Support includes:

• Delivery of delegated health interventions required during the education day
• Implementation of care plans, developed in collaboration with the child or young person, their family and the multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Health‑focused support within education settings, including early years, mainstream and special schools
• Time‑limited health support provided alongside a structured home learning offer, agreed and delivered in partnership with the education setting, where clinically indicated to support attendance, transition or reintegration into education.

The service works in partnership with education settings, families and health professionals to ensure support is coordinated, proportionate and responsive to changing needs.

Involvement with the Specialist Learning Support Service is needs‑led and regularly reviewed on a quarterly basis.

Support is adjusted in response to changes in health, development and educational context, with a focus on:

• Ensuring support remains clinically appropriate
• Promoting safe inclusion in education
• Supporting positive transitions where needs change over time

Parents and carers are actively involved in planning and reviewing their child’s support, and their feedback contributes to ongoing service evaluation and improvement.

The service contributes to annual reviews, child in need meetings and other relevant multidisciplinary discussions, as appropriate.

Referrals to the Specialist Learning Support Service are made by health or education professionals, where a child or young person has:

• Undergone a Continuing Care assessment, or
• Been identified through clinical assessment as requiring specialist health support within education

All referrals are considered to ensure that the service is the most appropriate health provision for the child or young person’s needs.

To make a referral to the service complete this referral form: