Sensory & Communication Support Service (SenCom)

The teams within SenCom provide a wide range of advice and intervention strategies including teaching. We are a person-centred organisation and our levels of intervention are matched to the changing needs of individual children and young people.

We are hosted by Torfaen County Borough Council and work regionally in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen with children and young people, families, school’s colleges and early year’s settings.

Our mission is to be a partner with families and schools in successfully including children and young people in all of school life and to ensure their learning journey meets no barriers to progress.

The Service is made up of three teams under the leadership of a Head of Service.

ComIT (Communication Intervention Team)

ComIT is a school-based service working across five local authorities in South East Wales to enable schools to identify and support children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

Speech, Language and Communication skills underpin all aspects of learning and development, and research shows that early identification of SLCN and intervention can significantly improve the academic and life outcomes for children and young people.

ComIT works in partnership with the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) and the team consists of a Head of Service, Advisory Teachers, ABUHB Speech and Language Therapists and Specialist Teaching Assistants.

ComIT provides a wide range of information, awareness raising and training, as well as direct support for pupils, through a graduated response.  Specialist Teaching Assistants work with individual pupils and small groups in schools and support school-based staff to provide follow-up sessions using recommended learning strategies and resources. 

How is a request for support made?

Each Local Authority has a named ComIT Lead Professional who consults with the ComIT Head of Service to identify schools for ComIT intervention, training, and support.  Requests for pupil support are received directly from schools.

If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language and communication, contact the school and speak with the class teacher or Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo).  School staff can seek advice from their ComIT Lead Professional and send a Request for Advice (RFA) directly to ComIT.

Support Service for d/Deaf Children & Young People

The Support Service for d/Deaf Children & Young People is a service to assist all children and young people who have been identified as deaf, to achieve their maximum potential and to acquire the necessary skills for life. The service also supports successful inclusion into local schools. The team includes qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People and experienced, specialist Teaching Assistants.

The Support Service for d/Deaf Children & Young People use the National Sensory Impairment Partnership Eligibility Framework, a tool for Sensory Services which aims to guide decision-making when allocating support for individual children and young people. Service support is dynamic and encourages close links with home, school and other agencies. We aim to build capacity in schools in meeting pupils’ needs and provide focused support in response to the changing needs of children and young people.

How is a referral made?

The vast majority of children are referred to the service by Health, however we are also able to give advice and signpost parents or professionals who have any concerns about a child or young person’s hearing. After referral, contact is made with the school’s ALNCo to talk about the child or young person. A school visit may be arranged to assess the pupil and to gather further information.

Vision Impairment Service

The Vision Impairment Service (VIS) aims to ensure that choice is offered to children, young people and parents/carers. Expertise and resources are available to schools to enable full inclusive access to learning. Independent living and mobility skills are taught by VIS habilitation specialists. Collaborative working is established to support and meet all needs.

The VIS is able to provide a range of services in relation to individual needs. We work in partnership with children and young people with vision or multi-sensory impairment, parents, schools, education/career services and medical agencies to meet individual needs as identified through the assessment process.

How is a referral made?

We welcome enquiries and referrals from anyone involved with children and young people who may have concerns regarding a possible vision or multi-sensory impairment.

You can make a referral for assessment by a Qualified Teacher of Vision and/or Multi-Sensory Impairment here.

Our Contact Details

Civic Centre
Pontypool
Torfaen
NP4 6YB

Telephone: 01633 648888
E-mail: sencom@torfaen.gov.uk

Heads of Service

Roger Thurlbeck - Head of Service SenCom
Email: roger.thurlbeck@torfaen.gov.uk

Mary Jo Spearey and Rebecca Kelly - Heads of Service ComIT
Email: mary-jo.spearey@torfaen.gov.uk
Email: rebecca.kelly3@torfaen.gov.uk

Jo Plant - Head of Support Service for d/Deaf Children & Young People
Email: joanne.plant@torfaen.gov.uk

Sarah Hughes - Head of Service VIS
Email: sarah.hughes@torfaen.gov.uk

Sian Draper - Business Support Manager
Email: sian.draper@torfaen.gov.uk

Last Modified: 16/08/2024 Back to top