News

New Integrated Resources open in north of city

18th November 2020

  • Three new Integrated Resources (IRs) for children with communication and interaction difficulties (such as autism) have opened in the north of Sheffield.

    IRs are specialist units in mainstream schools for children with complex needs. Children must have an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan to be placed there.

    The new IRs are all part of the Cascade Multi-Academy Trust, and are located within the following schools:

    • Beck Primary School (8 places)
    • Whiteways Primary School (10 places)
    • Hucklow Primary School (12 places)

    Each of the new IRs consists of a purpose-built classroom and a sensory room. Children can access the mainstream part of the school in line with their needs – there is no fixed amount of time they must spend in a mainstream classroom.

    Matthew Peers, Strategic Commissioning Manager in Sheffield City Council, said: “The new IR places with Cascade Multi-Academy Trust are part of a broader plan to increase IR provision in the city. Currently, we are exploring opportunities for more IR places, with a goal of these being available from September 2021. In doing this, we are taking into account a range of factors, including the needs that are prevalent in different areas, the availability of suitable spaces to house an IR, and the types of SEN need that the host school is best suited to meeting. We are delighted that Cascade are able to provide these places, and we’re looking forward to seeing children thrive in these IRs.”

    For more information about three new IRs, please contact Cascade Inclusion Lead Lisa Whitehead: lwhitehead@cascademat.co.uk / 0114 2426736.