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Ethnic Diversity Service

The Ethnic Diversity Service (EDS) is a specialist teaching service that works in partnership with schools to support children and young people who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL). 

EDS gives advice to schools and provides direct support in schools to meet the needs of EAL learners.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Ethnic Diversity Service
Telephone

E-mail
eds.admin@stockport.gov.uk
Website
Stockport Council: Ethnic Diversity Service

Where to go

Name
Ethnic Diversity Service
Address
Enterprise House
Oakhurst Drive
Stockport
Postcode
SK3 0XT

Other Details

Costs

Details
There is no charge made to parents. All maintained nurseries and primary schools have a core Ethnic Diversity Service allocation and there is no cost for these services. There is a cost for the provision of English as an Additional Language (EAL) support in settings such as private nurseries, children's centres and academies, secondary and special schools. These fees are subject to negotiation between individual settings and EDS. There is a cost for interpreting and translation services for all settings.

Availability

Age Ranges
3-16 for service
0-25 for advice
Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

The criteria for referral is that the learner has English as an Additional Language (EAL) and attends a Stockport LA maintained nursery, primary or secondary school.  Enquiries in the first instance should be made via the school.  Schools refer by completing an EDS Referral Form which can be found on Office Online in the Forms section under the Ethnic Diversity Service. 

EDS will carry out all requests for assessments made by maintained nurseries, primary and secondary schools.

 
Availability of direct language support is dependent on EDS's capacity, and availability of bilingual support. Arrangements will be agreed with the referring school.

Requests for assessments and support from other settings (eg private nurseries, children's centres and academies) will be subject to negotiation between individual settings and EDS.

Other notes

3-16 in Stockport LA maintained nurseries or schools. Private nurseries, children's centres and academies must choose to purchase services. 

Local Offer

Description

A team of specialist Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) teachers and Bilingual Assistants support EAL learners in schools, mainly in class but sometimes in small groups or 1:1.  EDS works in partnership with schools and other services by offering support, advice and guidance on how to best meet the needs of EAL learners and their families.

If a school identifies an EAL learner who may benefit from support, then the school should complete a referral form which triggers off an initial assessment conducted by EDS.  The outcome of the assessment may be the provision of a specialist EMA teacher and/or Bilingual Assistant or it may be advice, guidance and training for the school. Once support is in place, EDS works in collaboration with the school and any other practitioners to monitor the learner's progress and ensure that the support is appropriate and effective.  EDS can also conduct first language assessments to help give a broader view of a learner's first language development.  In addition to language support, EDS also offers advice and support to schools, services and families around culture and/or faith to promote understanding and trust, and to foster good relationships.

The Stockport Interpreting Unit, which is part of the Ethnic Diversity, provides interpreting and translation services in a range of languages to facilitate communication between parents, families, schools and other practitioners.  Please note that there is a fee for this service but this is usually covered by the requesting school or service.

Contact Telephone
0161 477 9000
Contact Email
eds.admin@stockport.gov.uk
Local Offer Age Bands
Primary (5-11 years)
Early Years (0-4 years)
Adulthood (16-25)
Secondary (11-16 years)
SEN Provision Type
Targeted