ACE is part of the local authority service (Section 19) which provides an education to children who cannot attend their home school for a prolonged period due to issues relating to their health either physical or mental. The health categories include:

• Children with medical problems;
• Children suffering from mental health conditions

This support is available to children from KS1 through to KS4. The aim is to ensure there is as little interruption as possible in their education during the recovery process and to facilitate a smooth transition back into their home school. However due to the nature of some of the medical issues some of these children are unable to return to school and in these cases the service prepares them for access to post-16 education. The service supports all children with both academic and life skills. It also plays a significant part in their medical recovery.

ACE is not a school therefore parents cannot apply to this provision for their child. ACE provides a part-time temporary education which can take place either in small classes or as home tuition. Pupils are encouraged to attend classes as this can also build up their confidence and social skills. Home tuition is in the form of 1 or 2 sessions per week depending on the number of places available. At this time primary aged pupils can only receive home tuition from ACE.

ACE reserve the right to allocate an Assessment place for a fixed time period where appropriate. The pupil will then return to their home school to make further arrangements for their education.

This service is not an Alternative Provision and is only for children who are unable to attend school for any sessions. Therefore it cannot be used to supplement education provided by the child’s home school.

This service is not a SEN provision so is unable to support pupils needs via an EHCP or be named as a provider on the EHCP. If a child is not attending school as they are waiting for an appropriate education setting to be named on their EHCP, ACE will not accept a referral.

For pupils with neurodevelopmental diagnosis there must be an overriding health issue that is preventing the pupil from attending school. This would need to be supported by CAMHS or a medical practitioner.

Referral pathway
The referral pathway to this service is made either by the hospital on discharge or the home school. 

• When a referral is made by the home school this will be considered by a Section 19 Panel. These take place every 2 weeks on a Tuesday.
• If there is not sufficient information/evidence to support a medical referral the home school will be asked to provide this within 4 weeks. If it is not received the referral will be archived.
• If a referral is approved a Team around the Child meeting will be arranged at ACE where all professionals working with the child will attend.
• An EHAT (Early Help Assessment Tool) document must be considered before a referral takes place. A member of staff at your child’s home school will discuss this with parents.
• A referral form must be completed by the child’s home school with supporting medical evidence.
• If the child is suffering with their mental health a CAMHS Specialist report must be completed and submitted alongside the ACE referral form.
• The Head of ACE will discuss education plans with parents and arrange for either a tutor to make an initial visit to the home or the child to embark on a part-time timetable at ACE which is located at the rear of Sandfield Park School.
• If the child a pupil is offered a cycle with ACE a review meeting will take place after approximately 6 weeks to decide on further education plans.

A tour of ACE…