Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs)

The admissions process for specialist resource bases (SRBs):

• Is started by your child's current school
• Follows a discussion with the class teacher and SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or a review meeting if your child already has an Education, Health and Care Plan

You do not need an Education, Health and Care Plan to access SRB places.

Sessional placements

For Learning and Cognition needs (LCN), Speech, Language and Communication needs (SLCN) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) bases, children remain on the roll of the home school. They attend the SRB in varying amounts of time throughout the week for a period of two to four terms.

Permanent placements

You can request a referral for a permanent place at a Deaf base or autism base. If successful your child will move schools and if they have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) the school will be named.

In the current admissions process, referrals are not being accepted for SHIPs. Children already on admissions lists are being considered in the first instance along with children identified through the Early Years Advisory team.

It's important if your child has an EHCP that the school invite your child's education, health and care plan (EHCP) coordinator to any meeting where a potential specialist school place is discussed. They are experienced and knowledgeable and can offer advice.

How admissions are decided

A new fortnightly triage panel has been launched from September 2024 to ensure the right referrals are considered by the most appropriate SRB admissions panel at the earliest opportunity.

All referrals for Autism, Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), and Learning and Cognition (LCN) bases will be considered by the triage panel initially, alongside placements within Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice (SHIPs). A decision will then be made as to whether the referral is appropriate for consideration at an SRB admissions panel, or if further evidence is required which may include a professional observation, or if another solution is deemed more suitable.

Note: Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Bases and Deaf Resource Bases are not included in the triage panel as children are referred on the advice of a Speech and Language Therapist or Virtual School for Sensory Support, respectively.

The SRB admissions panel is made up of a group of professionals, including Base Lead teachers, Special School teachers, Educational Psychologists and other professionals. Deaf Resource, Autism and SEMH panels are chaired by a Local Authority representative. They will have an in-depth discussion about your child to decide if a base will best meet their needs. 

Everyone will decide together, using the paperwork that has already been prepared and circulated including observation notes. The decision may be deferred if the base is full and an offer could be made at a later date.

If this happens other bases may be considered and offered. The most local base to the child's home will always be prioritised.

If a place is not offered a reason will be given and shared in a following letter.

How to query a decision

If you're not happy with the decision made contact your school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator, or if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, contact your Education, Health and Care Plan Coordinator.