Graduated Approach

text

text

The Trafford Graduated Approach

A Clear, Supportive Way of Meeting Children’s Needs

All children and young people in Trafford are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress, feel confident and achieve their best possible outcomes. To support this, Trafford Local Authority uses a Graduated Approach for identifying and meeting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in mainstream settings.

The Graduated Approach is set out in the SEND Code of Practice (0–25) and is designed to ensure that support is thoughtful, proportionate and responsive, increasing only where needed.

 

What is the Graduated Approach?

The Graduated Approach recognises that children’s needs may change over time and should be met in steps, rather than all at once.

It ensures that:

  • high‑quality teaching is the starting point for all children
  • support is added gradually and reviewed regularly
  • most children’s needs are met without needing an EHCP
  • families are involved throughout every stage

 

The approach follows a structured Assess – Plan – Do – Review (APDR) cycle.

 

 

The 4 stages of the Trafford Graduated Approach

1. High‑quality teaching for all

Most children’s needs are met through inclusive, high‑quality classroom teaching. Trafford expects mainstream schools to provide Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision as standard, without the need for additional funding or plans.

 

 

2. Targeted support within school (SEND Support)

If a child continues to experience difficulty, schools add further support while keeping the child included in everyday learning. This support is planned, reviewed and adapted through the APDR cycle, with parents fully involved.

 

3. Involvement of specialists

If needed, advice may be sought from specialist services (e.g. Speech and Language Therapy, Educational Psychology) to help shape and strengthen support. External advice informs classroom and school practice.

 

4. Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Only a small number of children with the most complex needs will need an EHCP. Trafford expects schools to demonstrate that the graduated steps have been followed fully before an EHCP is considered.

 

Trafford Graduated Approach guidance

Parents who would like more detailed information can view Trafford’s full Graduated Approach guidance here:

Trafford SEND Graduated Approach

Trafford Directory | Trafford SEND Graduated Approach for Practitioners

This guidance forms part of Trafford’s SEND Local Offer and explains what provision should normally be available in mainstream schools.

 

The Graduated Approach at Kingsway Primary School

Inclusive, Relational and Ambitious

At Kingsway Primary School, the Trafford Graduated Approach is fully embedded into everyday practice. It aligns closely with our values, our inclusion model and our relational approach to learning, behaviour and wellbeing.

We believe that:

  • early, high‑quality support makes the biggest difference
  • most needs can be met through strong universal provision
  • children should feel included, not labelled

 

parents are essential partners

 

Step 1: Universal support – iQFT at Kingsway

The starting point for all children at Kingsway is iQFT – Inclusive Quality First Teaching.

This includes:

  • adaptive teaching within the classroom
  • enabling learning environments
  • clear routines and visual structure
  • in‑lesson support to help children keep up
  • relational approaches that support wellbeing and belonging

 

For most children, this universal offer is sufficient to meet their needs successfully.

 

Step 2: Targeted support and APDR cycles

If a child needs additional support:

  • concerns are discussed early with parents
  • support is planned alongside classroom teaching
  • targets are clear, achievable and meaningful
  • progress is reviewed regularly

 

Support may include short‑term keep‑up interventions, additional scaffolding or pastoral support — always alongside, not instead of, high‑quality teaching.

 

Image not found

 

Step 3: Specialist advice where needed

When appropriate, Kingsway works closely with Trafford services and other professionals to:

  • gain deeper understanding of a child’s needs
  • strengthen and refine support
  • ensure provision remains inclusive and proportional

 

Specialist advice is used to support classroom practice, not replace it.

 

Step 4: EHCP requests (where appropriate)

Kingsway may support families with an EHCP request where:

  • a child has complex, long‑term needs
  • robust evidence shows needs are beyond ordinarily available provision
  • the graduated approach has been fully followed

 

Parents are supported throughout this process, and decisions are made collaboratively and transparently.

 

Partnership with parents and carers

At every stage of the graduated approach at Kingsway:

  • parents are informed and involved
  • communication is open and respectful
  • next steps are explained clearly
  • support is reviewed together

 

If you have a concern about your child’s learning or development, your child’s class teacher is always the best first point of contact.

 

Excellence in practice at Kingsway

What makes Kingsway’s approach exemplary is that:

  • inclusion is proactive, not reactive
  • universal provision is strong and well‑designed
  • support builds independence, not dependency
  • relationships underpin every decision
  • systems are clear, consistent and robust

 

This ensures that children are supported early, thoughtfully and effectively, helping them to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

 

Our commitment

At Kingsway Primary School, we are committed to:

  • following Trafford’s Graduated Approach fully and faithfully
  • meeting children’s needs at the earliest stage possible
  • working in true partnership with families
  • maintaining high expectations for all children
  • ensuring every child feels safe, supported and included

 

If you would like to talk about the Graduated Approach or your child’s support, please contact the school - we are always happy to help.