Our SEND Bases
Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre operates three SEND Bases for some of our pupils with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and others who require a more bespoke education model.
You can read more about each SEND Base by clicking the images below.
Speech, language and communication
At Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre, a qualified Speech and Language Therapist works across the school to support pupils’ speech and language development.
External resources and support materials
Luton Family Hubs provide a network of local services designed to support families from pregnancy through to when children are 19 years old (or up to 25 years old for young people with special educational needs and disabilities). The hubs bring together a range of services in one place, making it easier for families to access information, advice, and practical support when they need it.
Families can access friendly professionals and community specialists who offer guidance, activities, and sessions for parents and children. The hubs aim to support children’s development and wellbeing while helping parents and carers feel confident and supported in their parenting journey.
Further information about Luton Family Hubs and the support available can be found using the link below.
Right to Choose
The NHS Right to Choose policy allows parents and carers to select an NHS-approved provider to assess their child for ADHD or autism, rather than waiting for an assessment through their local NHS service.
If a GP confirms that an assessment is needed, they can refer the child to the provider chosen by the parents or carers. Self-referrals are not permitted. Depending on the provider, assessments may be carried out in person or online, and some providers also offer treatment and medication management.
Children can remain on their local NHS waiting list while pursuing a Right to Choose assessment. Waiting times for these assessments typically range from 12 weeks to 12 months, and are often shorter than local NHS waiting times.
Therapy
At Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre, a trained practitioner delivers therapeutic interventions such as Drawing and Talking Therapy and Sand Therapy to support pupils’ emotional well-being. Drawing and Talking Therapy, based on the work of Carl Jung and John Bowlby, is a safe and gentle method for children aged 5 and above to process emotional pain or trauma. Pupils attend 12 confidential sessions, each lasting 30 minutes, where they may choose to draw and talk. The therapy uses an attachment-based approach, encouraging children to express their internal world through drawings and storytelling language, helping them resolve conflicts and heal trauma in a non-confrontational manner.
Sand Therapy, suitable for children as young as 4 years old, functions similarly to Drawing and Talking Therapy and is designed as an early intervention to support well-being and complement specialist therapies. Both therapies occur in a consistent, safe environment, allowing children to process emotional difficulties symbolically without requiring artistic talent.
Additionally, group-based sessions focused on emotions and storytelling are conducted to enhance listening skills, peer interaction, and empathy. In these sessions, pupils draw on the same topic and have the option to share their pictures, promoting group interaction. The sessions aim to help pupils recognise and understand their emotions while realising that others have similar feelings. They provide a safe space for sharing experiences and connecting with peers facing similar challenges, such as those related to being looked-after children (LAC), bereavement, behaviour, or social issues. Through these interactions, pupils build supportive therapeutic relationships with both the practitioner and fellow group members, with all adults present actively participating.
