Update on Dyslexia in Gloucestershire
Director of Education, Gloucestershire County Council, February 2024:
Dyslexia is identified as a specific learning disability in the SEND Code of Practice. This is a need that Gloucestershire has recognised and is included in information about the Advisory Teaching Service as set out in the Local Offer.
As with all SEND Services, we acknowledge diagnosis, however our focus is on the child’s needs, and supporting the child, setting and family using recommendations and evidence informed interventions which build on the child’s strengths.
We have included the link to the local offer which shows the recognition of Dyslexia. This is our Local Offer which is available and accessible to families and professionals.
Kate’s further addition:
Support in School (in Gloucestershire) - advice from SENDIASS
Dyslexia Diagnostic Assessments are funded privately (some may be funded by Worcestershire County Council). You do not need a formal diagnosis for support to be put in place, but they can help parents, and young people themselves, to understand their strengths and challenges and how best to help at home, and/or to be able to ask for more targeted support within the education system.
Please see the link below which gives further reasons why having an assessment/diagnosis can be useful.
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/how-is-dyslexia-diagnosed/dyslexia-diagnostic-assessment
A dyslexia screening is an interim option, which can show an overall likelihood of dyslexia as well as helping to inform support in school.
https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/how-is-dyslexia-diagnosed/dyslexia-screening
It’s also a service that some school and I (& some other specialists) can offer.