About the programme

Specialist Resource Bases are additionally funded provisions within a maintained mainstream school/academy that have reduced class sizes, additional staffing, tailored environments and access to additional resources and expertise.

They are funded from Norfolk's High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant. They are registered SEN units that form a constituent part of the school/academy.

There are six distinct specialisms within the programme catering for different areas of need with different operating models:

Autism bases
Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice (SHIPs) - new for 2024
Deaf bases
Learning and Cognition Needs (LCN) bases
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) bases
Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) bases

SHIPs, Autism bases and Deaf Resource bases offer long term permanent places whereby children join the roll of the school that has the base. Permanent bases work with the mainstream classes to allow students to access the mainstream environment as much as possible. Provisions are accessed via local authority (LA) county admissions processes, with the LA retaining the placement decision-making responsibility. This is because it may require a change of school. In the current admissions process, referrals are not being accepted for SHIPs. Children already on admissions lists are being considered in the first instance along with children identified through the Early Years Advisory team.

Learning and Cognition Needs (LCN), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) bases offer short term support whereby children remain on the roll of the home school and attend the SRB for up to four days a week. Placements will also be accessed via the LA county admissions process, with a panel of relevant professionals having delegated decision-making responsibility. Please note that from September 2024 the SLCN base at Heartsease Primary Academy will operate a longer school day than most Norfolk schools, and school holiday dates may differ.

LCN outreach support (PDF) [146KB] to primary phase in home school, whole schools and cluster development.

SLCN outreach support (PDF) [288KB] to primary phase in home school, whole school and cluster development.

Leaflets for professionals detailing each specialism's offer are available to download from this page.

Dyslexia Outreach Service (opens new window) provides a wide range of services including pupil support plans, diagnostic assessments, exam access arrangements, training and development opportunities.