ESCC dyslexia youngsters award

The County Council has been awarded the status of a 'Dyslexia Friendly Authority' by the British Dyslexia Association '“ becoming one of the few local authorities nationally to be so accredited.

Councillor David Elkin, Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness, said: "We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the 'Dyslexia Friendly' status by the British Dyslexia Association. The process for accreditation was both rigorous and lengthy and is testament to all the hard work of our Language and Learning Support Service team working closely with our schools."

He added the County Council understood the negative impact that dyslexia could have for a child if left unrecognised '“ from an academic as well as life skills and opportunities perspective. Consequently, it was actively committed to ensuring that those children and young people suffering from dyslexia, at whatever level, receive the school based support they need.

Underpinning the council's work on dyslexia is the East Sussex Dyslexia Policy, which sets out a clear commitment to provide:

'¢ specialist dyslexia training for teachers and teaching assistants; '¢ access to specialist advice for schools, which could include more detailed assessments and advice; '¢ information to parents and carers on how we can meet the needs of children and young people with dyslexic difficulties and give them details of parent partnership organisations and voluntary agencies.

Support services work closely with schools to help ensure children get the support they need. Many schools in East Sussex have a specialist trained teacher and an increasing number of specialist trained teaching support assistants to help them to identify dyslexic pupils and give them appropriate support.

East Sussex Children's Services is also fully committed to the government's national Inclusion Development Programme which promotes best practice for all teachers in supporting learners with dyslexia. This programme is in all schools and complements the county council's Dyslexia Policy and the work of support services in this area.

For readers wanting to find out more, East Sussex County Council's website has a dedicated section outlining its work in this area, including a copy of its Policy on Dyslexia and a Frequently Asked Questions section.

The website offers help in answering such questions about what parents and carers can do if they think their child may be Dyslexic. It also provides links for parents and carers to find out more about what software is available to help children with dyslexia, a booklet 'My child is dyslexic '“ how can I help?' and specific contacts and links '“ both within the council, and to the key national dyslexia organisations and charities - for further advice.

Cllr Elkin added: "Every young person has a right to a full education and for the chance to fulfil their potential. We are committed to providing this for all our young people including those who have barriers to their learning that we can help them overcome."