ICT SEND Advice

Technology can support children with a variety of difficulties

The ICT SEND Advice Service is for children that do not have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or who have not been able to access a funded ICT SEND Assessment or a general consultation on a strategic approach to using technology to support children with SEND.

The ICT Service has provided ICT SEN Assessments for over 10 years and is well regarded for providing personalised and professional advice for children with a wide spectrum of special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream schools.

We carry out all assessments on behalf of START (the Cambridgeshire County Council Statutory Assessment and Resources Team).

Schools are recognising the benefits of using technology to support learning and to promote independence for children with special educational needs. In response to demand from schools we are now offering a scaled-down version of this service for children who do not have an EHCP or who have not been successful in obtaining an assessment funded by Cambridgeshire County Council.

We help children experiencing a variety of difficulties including:

Fine and gross motor issues
Dyslexia
Autistic Spectrum including Asperger’s Syndrome
Physical Disabilities
Dyspraxia

Schools fund assessments and equipment through a variety of means including Pupil Premium, parental contribution or with money already provided for children with SEND.

We offer:

SEND Technology Advice Around a Specific Child	Assessment and a short written recommendation* supplied within five working days (including preparation and travel time).
SEND Technology Advice Consultation	Approach to be agreed in advance. General advice or strategic approach to using technology to support SEND.

Advice can be given for purchasing any equipment recommended.
Training can also be provided, at an extra cost, for any software or hardware that is recommended.
Advice and information can also be provided in order to make accessibility adjustments to a variety of devices to meet the specific needs of a child.
We will work with you to see what can be achieved within your budget or to make the most of what you already have in place within your school.

If you have pupils that you believe would benefit from using technology to support their learning, but are unsure of what is possible, then please contact us.

* It is important to note that the recommendations provided cannot be used as evidence to support an application for funding or resources from any organisation or authority.

What people say about us

An online request was made, no assistance was given on a 1-2-1 basis, but the issue was resolved very quickly!

S. Collins, Granta Special School about Online Helpdesk – The ICT Service Helpline

Excellent help straight away. Thank you.

M. Seaton, Coates Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Donna is always so helpful and resolves issues. Thank you!

S. Dickinson, Fen Drayton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Polite, professional and sorted out my issue quickly. In addition, the Helpline rep gave me tips on how to solve the problem should it arise again.

A. Howell, Monkfield Park Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Issue resolved quickly by a helpful member of staff

C. Munroe, Spaldwick Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

A great well planned out course , which will enable me to make even more use out of SIMS

E. Wallace, Harbour School about SIMS for SENDCo’s Training Course

Donna worked very quickly to resolve the issues.

S. Butler, Holywell Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Always good to know that Jane is just a phone call away :)

L. Fowler, Abbey College about The ICT Service Helpline

The issue was dealt with very quickly and Kath also telephoned to ensure that it was working correctly.

L. Dennis, Isleham Primary about The ICT Service Helpline

What would we do without you?

C. Robinson, Meldreth Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Very helpful on the phone. I was very pleased with the quick response. If anything I was the one slow in responding to the email I was sent. Thank you for all your help.

J. Branch, Upwood Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Life-saving restoration of folder from Central Hosting - Thanks very much.

D. Baslington, Bellbird Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Kath answered my call and as ever was brilliant, sorted the problem out immediately and gave me instructions on how to fix the problem should it occur again.

S. Byford, Elm Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Michaela explained problem perfectly and enabled me to create and link further codes without any problems. Thank you.

M. Seaton, Coates Primary School about FMS – The ICT Service Helpline

Efficient, polite and kept me well informed. Lovely telephone manner. The issue was dealt with quickly enabling me to continue with my busy day. I was told exactly what the problem had been.

C. DeMartino, Castle Special School about The ICT Service Helpline

I spoke to Donna. She is always friendly and extremely helpful as are all the Helpline team

K. Dixon, Ridgefield Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

What would I do without you? I can't thank you enough for the way you support me, and that goes to the whole team, you are all a credit to The ICT service. Knowing you are there makes the day a bit better. I can pick up that phone have a wobble and help is on hand.

R. Mack, Fields Children's Centre about The ICT Service Helpline

Very happy with all aspects of the resolution process. I even found answers to questions I hadn't asked! Thank you

C. Ashley, Ely St John's Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Excellent service.

P. Steel, Castle Camps Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

As always, Rob was very helpful and sorted out my problem speedily and efficiently as I was on a short timescale!

M. Ramsey, Grove Primary about The ICT Service Helpline

Quick response and problem sorted quickly. Kept informed and problem resolved - thank you!

J. Watts, Little Paxton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

I felt that the issues we had were easily dealt with and helpful advice was given.

S. Preston, Pilgrim Pupil Referral Unit about The ICT Service Helpline

Always helpful and patient!

S. Dickinson, Fen Drayton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Really helpful as usual and sorted the problem speedily. Thank you. Will make my life much easier today!

S. Dickinson, Fen Drayton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Brilliant as usual - easy to follow course and with plenty of hand outs to use if you needed when back in school. Huge thanks to Donna!

J. Warman, Littleport Community Primary School about SIMS End of Academic Year Training Course

As always, Rob was very helpful and efficient.

M. Ramsey, Grove Primary about The ICT Service Helpline

Always helpful and understanding, no matter how small the problem!

S. Dickinson, Fen Drayton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

As always, the knowledge and assistance was second to none.

J. Medvesek, UTC Cambridge about The ICT Service Helpline

Sharon was very helpful, she dealt with query very quickly

A. Watson, Orchards Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

As always, Donna's workshops are informative, relaxed and help me know what I'm doing! Donna always answers questions and is patient and easy to work with.

J. Warman, Littleport Community Primary School about GDPR Preparation for your Everyday Working Practices Training Course

I spoke with Jane on the helpline she was such a great support giving me invaluable advise and help. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Great work.

D. O'Bryan, Great & Little Shelford Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Everyone on the helpdesk are so helpful and they always sort out any problems speedily and efficiently. Thank you.

S. Dickinson, Fen Drayton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Rob was very helpful as always and resolved my query by logging into my screen to show me how to do what was needed. Thank you.

D. Hewett, Kimbolton Primary Academy about The ICT Service Helpline

Really helpful to have this course in a classroom environment away from the busy school office.

S. Brown, Coates Primary School about Key Stage Data Made Easy Training Course

Donna is friendly and approachable and delivers a relaxed method of training which suited the session perfectly. It was great to be in a familiar space with like minded people for this course. :-)

A. Kirkham, Godmanchester Bridge Academy about SIMS End of Academic Year Training Course

As I am new to the role I am very grateful for the patient and helpful approach adopted by The ICT Service Helpline Team

S. Murray, Bewick Bridge Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

The problem onsite following our LAN re-configuration was complex, needing Matt's expertise to fully resolve our wireless and printing issues. It took a while, the issues were multiple and had to be pinned down individually. As we uncovered various issues, Matt reconfigured aspects of our switches to resolve them. All is now working well.

C. Clee, Crosshall Junior Academy about Technical Services

Excellent help from Kath - many thanks.

M. Seaton, Coates Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Really appreciated the clear guidance and information which helped fully resolve the issue I had and increase my understanding of the system I was using.

L. Billington, Granta Special School about The ICT Service Helpline

Excellent response producing successful result. Thank you Michaela!

C. Ashley, Ely St John's Primary School about The ICT Service Helpine

As always, no complaints with the service. Problem was resolved promptly without any fuss and certainly without making me feel useless :)

S. Pilkington, Spinning Infants School about The ICT Service Helpline

No complicated IT talk, just plain, good information and help as requested.

Clerk of Governors, Swaffham Bulbeck Primary School about ELearning

Solved problem straight away. Many thanks.

M. Seaton, Coates Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Customer service is great. Clear and concise information always given very promptly, nothing is too much trouble.

H. Leete, Gamlingay First School about The ICT Service Helpline

I was unsure of how to put an online questionnaire onto the school website, I needed assistance with this! Help was received very promptly and efficiently and this enabled me to help another member of staff. Thank you Jo :)

A. Sheldon, Monkfield Primary School about School Website Service

The engineer, Matt, worked very hard to resolve the issue as fast as possible, without his skills and knowledge the issue would have taken me much longer I cannot praise him high enough.

S. Rumbelow, Sir Harry Smith Community College about Technical Services

Jane was extremely polite, helpful and definitely knowledgeable. I was happy and confident as she explained to me how she was able to resolve my issue, and did so in a short space of time. I am always impressed how staff on the Helpline know so much!

J. Pollock, Abbots Ripton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Jo Puckering was very helpful with our request. Thank you Jo!

H. Owen, Shirley Primary School about ELearning

Always extremely helpful and knowledgeable- Thank you

E. Rudd, Hartford Junior School about The ICT Service Helpline

Pleasant and very helpful. Thank you

M. Bennett, Granta Special School about The ICT Service Helpline

As always your lovely staff are helpful and instructive dealing with my often stupid mistakes!

G. Topley, Fen Ditton Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Always so quick and professional.

Clerk of Governors, Swaffham Bulbeck Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

So happy you are at the end of the phone line for never-ending queries!!!

C. Robinson, Meldreth Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline

Usual helpful and patient advice. Thank you very much!

A. Maskell, St Matthew's Primary School about The ICT Service Helpline