Inclusion Services
Specialist Provision and Settings
Within Pembrokeshire, we are committed to inclusion and to educating as many of our children and young people as possible within our mainstream schools. Alongside this, a range of specialist provision has been developed to provide appropriate settings to educate children and young people with a range of the most complex needs. As part of our commitment, the Inclusion Service is continually reviewing its specialist provision and planning how best to meet anticipated future needs.
In Pembrokeshire, for learners with more complex needs, a specialist placement in either the special school, a Learning Resource Centre (LRC), or the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre, provides wraparound care and educational support to the ensure the children achieve their full potential.
Portfield Special School
Portfield School is a special school for pupils aged 3-19 years located in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire with pupils taught through the medium of English. We also have two satellite centres: Y Porth based at Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych where pupils are taught through the medium of Welsh and at Haverfordwest High VC School which is English medium. We provide excellent learning opportunities and services for our pupils who have a range of abilities and needs including moderate, severe, profound and multiple additional needs, autism spectrum condition and pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs. Portfield follows Trauma Informed Schools practice and our work is based on personalised care, trust, and empathy. We celebrate every pupil’s individuality, personalise the curriculum to meet their needs and support and celebrate every success.
Learning Resource Centres (LRCs)
A Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is a classroom based within a mainstream school providing education for pupils with complex needs. LRCs have been set up to provide pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum that is highly differentiated in order to support them in achieving their full potential. LRCs are attached to mainstream schools giving pupils the opportunity to be part of mainstream activities and lessons and to socialise with their peers whilst their individual needs are supported and met.
There are currently 8 primary and 3 Secondary LRCs across Pembrokeshire.
Who can access a Learning Resource Centre?
An LRC is suitable for pupils with complex learning needs. When considering whether a young person is suitable for a placement, professionals will consider a range of criteria. Part of the criteria will be the student’s cognitive ability and their scores on standardised testing, as well as individual pupil profiles of needs.
The County Council is the Admissions Authority for all Learning Resource Centres within schools. A panel of nominated school, Inclusion Service and Educational Psychology Service staff will discuss each pupil being considered for admission to a specialist provision. The Panel and recommend the appropriateness of the placement.
Pembrokeshire Learning Centre (PLC)
Pembrokeshire Learning Centre (PLC) is a Pupil Referral Unit for pupils of statutory school age run by Pembrokeshire County Council which caters for children and young people with Behavioural, Emotional and Social difficulties.
The PLC is dedicated to supporting all of its members in order to ensure they reach their full potential. The provision includes early and short term intervention delivered in a number of small schools/provisions located throughout the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire. We recognise that everyone is individual and therefore learns in their own way and at their own pace. We work with mainstream schools to provide placements and re-engage learners using intense interventions and flexible learning techniques.
The PLC promotes the Curriculum for Wales and embraces the use of authentic and meaningful learning experiences in order to build understanding and increase social skills. The aim is to support learners to return to mainstream education or transfer to Further Education.
We have strong, effective relationships with our learners, their families, supportive networks, communities and other agencies.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones Centre offers support to pupils who due to high levels of anxiety/ mental health are experiencing difficulties attending their mainstream provision. Consequently, this affects their ability to access the curriculum and engage socially with their peers. The Centre provides access to education, qualifications and social/emotional support for pupils within Key stage 3 and Key stage 4.
The Centre works closely with the mainstream secondary schools, families, education and health professionals to support the young people to develop their confidence and increase their self-esteem. This provides increased opportunities for the young people to access the curriculum, increase their attendance, gain appropriate qualifications and make successful transitions at the end of each Key stage.