The school staff have access to the advisory support of a number of specialists. These people are able to provide helpful advice and practical support for parents too. This leaflet describes their typical role and gives the name of a contact person. All of them are regular visitors to the school. Messages can be passed on to them via letters or home-school books.

If you have concerns about your child's vision you should consult your GP to arrange an assessment in the first instance. However, Linda Tackie can provide advice about the educational implications of your child's visual impairments when these have been diagnosed. She does not usually become involved if your child's visual problems are corrected simply through wearing spectacles since appropriate advice can be given by an optician. She does provide advice about the use of specialist teaching techniques, activities for developing mobility, tactile communication systems and appropriate ways of organising your child's environment.

Regular clinics are held at the school where your child’s hearing can be tested. If you have hearing related concerns, please let your class teacher know and your child can be seen on one of these visits.

If there is a permanent, significant hearing loss, you will be given advice and support by a member of the team. When a hearing aid is prescribed, your child and staff in the school will receive regular visits to monitor its use. Information is also available about a local support group.

Jo and Emma have special training in the communication and language development and the development of feeding skills of children and children with learning difficulties. They are able to provide you with information about your own child's needs and the activities which are appropriate at home and at school. They also organise training for groups of parents.

Wheelchair Service – Margaret Dyke

The Wheelchair Service provides both manual and powered wheelchairs, and special seating to children and adults within the North Lincolnshire area. The service has an agreement with an independent company who undertake repairs free of charge to the user.
Margaret Dyke is the occupational therapist within the service. She will work with you, your child’s therapists and others to assess which wheelchair of associated equipment best suits your child’s needs.

Physiotherapists regularly visit the school, they have a detailed knowledge of normal and abnormal movement and an understanding of how conditions specific to children may affect each child’s movement and development. They use this knowledge to teach the child, the parents and other carers how to develop the child’s movement skills. This can involve passive and active exercises and positioning techniques. When appropriate, they will liaise with the occupational therapist and the Wheelchair Service to provide 24-hour postural management. They will advise on standing frames, walking aids, splints and footwear.
A specialist orthotist does a joint clinic with the physiotherapists to assess and advise on footwear and splintage.

The occupational therapist is able to advise on the development of your child's arm/hand function and self help skills. She takes into account your child's age and learning or physical difficulties and your family life style. She will be able to advise on how best to seat your child or how to help in caring for your child. If you are experiencing difficulties at home with, for example, lifting and handling or bathing, a home visit can be made to advise on special equipment, adaptations or alterations to your home. If your child is in need of a wheelchair or a buggy,she will be able to advise you on what is available. When appropriate, she will liaise with the physiotherapist and Wheelchair Services to provide 24-hour postural management. She will liaise with other agencies on the provision and the funding of such equipment.

Kaleidoscope is a purpose-built resource centre located on Dunstall Street, Scunthorpe that offers support to children with disabilities or special needs, and their families. The staff provide a friendly, listening ear with space to relax and meet other parents. They can also offer a welfare benefits advice and assistance in respect of claiming and completing forms for Housing benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, DSS Benefits, Health Benefits, etc. In addition, Kaleidoscope has a resource library (with Internet access), a family room, a playroom and a toy library. There are several parents’ support groups and siblings’ groups use Kaleidoscope. Your child does not have to be referred by any other agency or doctor; you can just pop in for a chat or make an appointment for a welfare benefits check. Coffee mornings are held every Tuesday, between 10.00 and 12.00. If you contact Kaleidoscope and register with them, you will receive a Newsletter which will keep you up to date with services and groups as they may change dependent on need. (Tel: 01724 277766)

There is an emergency number for out of office hours – 01724 296555. This available any time after 5 pm until midnight during the week or from 9.00 am until midnight at the weekend or bank holidays. It is important to remember that this service is not a replacement for the emergency services, such as the police or ambulance service.

Mike Griffiths is coordinator for a team of community nurses who are specialists in the health needs that result from a child's learning disability. These nurses are able to provide advice and treatment with regard to a range of problems, including epilepsy, incontinence, behavioural problems autism and sleep problems. Angela Bowden, one of the community nurses, starts her day at St. Luke’s Primary School.

Dr. Evans is a Consultant Paediatrician at Scunthorpe General Hospital. He is a specialist in children's health and medical needs. He visits the school regularly to assess children’s health and needs and determine whether there is need for any changes in your child's provision. He can also answer any queries that you may have about your child's health or medical condition. He is in close contact with a range of specialist health service professionals and agencies and can coordinate input from local hospital and community health services.

Jackie Hussey is employed by North Lincolnshire Council under a scheme sponsored by the Government. Jackie has a specific interest in special education and a commitment to developing effective and meaningful partnerships between parents, voluntary groups, support groups, schools and education, health and social services agencies. She is able to provide information and independent advice for parents about available services. She also acts as an advocate for parents, if necessary, in their dealings with education officers and other professionals and organisations. She is involved in the recruitment and training of 'Independent Parents’ Supporters' who can also provide advice and support for parents of children with special educational needs. (Tel: 01724 277665)

Home-school transport is provided for pupils at St. Luke's Primary School in accordance with North Lincolnshire Council's Policy on Home-school Transport for Pupils with Special Educational Needs. If parents have any questions and concerns about their child’s eligibility for transport, or the days on which it is provided, they should contact the SEN section of the LEA at Hewson House, Station Road, Brigg, DN20 8XJ. (Tel: 01724 297151). If they wish to comment on the transport currently being provided, they should speak to the Education Transport Section at Hewson House (Tel: 01724 297218).

The cost of the school meals is still heavily subsidised by North Lincolnshire Council. However, some parents on low income are entitled to free school meals . Forms for applying for free school meals are available from North Lincolnshire Council, at Hewson House, Station Road, Brigg, DN20 8XJ. You also can phone the Education Benefits Section for more help on (Tel: 01724 297217).

Alison is also an assistant head at the school and has a special responsibility for the provision for all pupils in the school who have additional physical, sensory or other problems. She is also teacher to a class of children with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Alison, along with other staff in the school, has trained as an adviser on the moving and handling of pupils with physical disabilities and she is a consultant in MOVE, a specialist programme for teaching mobility. As such, she is able to provide you with a great deal of information. She is in close contact with other professionals and agencies who may be of assistance to you. In particular she liaises closely with the physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the teacher of the visually impaired.