You cannot apply for a place in an ARP or an SUP through the usual school admissions process.

If you think your child may need this type of support:

• Speak to your child’s school or setting SENCo
• If your child has a SEND case officer, you can also contact them
• Reading Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) can also give impartial advice and help.

Places in ARPs and SUPs are usually considered as part of the education, health and care plan (EHCP) process. They may also be talked about at an annual review if a change of placement is being considered.

The decision is based on your child’s individual needs, support set out in their EHCP, and whether the ARP or SUP is in the right setting to meet those needs.

Additionally resourced provision categories

Reading’s ARPs support children and young people with different types of learning needs.

• Moderate learning difficulties (MLD): Children and young people may need extra support with learning across different subjects. Teaching may need to be adapted, structured and regularly repeated to help them make progress.
• Severe learning difficulties (SLD): Children and young people may need a highly personalised curriculum and specialist teaching. They may also need support with communication, independence, self-care and social skills.

Specialist unit provision categories

Reading’s SUPs support children and young people with specific types of need.

• SLCN (Speech, Language and Communication Needs): Children and young people may need specialist support to develop their language and communication skills. This can include understanding language, expressing their thoughts and needs, and building social interaction skills.
• VI (Visual Impairment): Children and young people may need specialist support to access learning. This may include adapted resources, assistive technology and changes to the learning environment to help them take part fully in school life and develop independence.

These categories describe the main type of need an ARP or SRP is designed to support. However, every child or young person’s needs are considered individually when decisions about support and placement are made.

ARP profiles

To help families and professionals understand the type of needs each provision specialises in and the support it offers, each school has a record on the Reading SEND Local Offer website outlining the SEND support they offer, including ARPs. The table below lists specialist SEND schools as well as mainstream schools that offer ARPs in Reading. Each listing links to the school’s SEND provision record.

ARP and SUP placements are reviewed through the EHCP annual review process. Children and young people will often stay in an ARP or SUP for the duration of a key stage. However, this is not automatic and can be looked at if their needs change.

If a parent, carer, school or professional believes the placement may no longer be suitable, this can be talked about at an annual review. Where there are serious concerns or a more urgent change is needed, parents/carers can ask for an emergency annual review.

For independent information, advice and support about ARP and SUP placements, EHCPs or annual reviews, families can contact Reading IASS.

Funded places are available at the following schools and settings, offering either specialist unit provision (SUP) or additionally resourced provision (ARP):

Nurseries

Primary schools

Secondary schools and all-age schools