Early Intervention Doreen McPhail Education Officer
Jan 01, 2016
Early Intervention
Doreen McPhail Education Officer
Backdrop of legislation
West Lothian Council ‘Focus on Inclusion’ 2007
Journey to Excellence 2007 Education (Additional Support for Learning)
(Scotland) Act 2004 – amended 2009 Recommendations by HMIE Improving
Scottish Education 2009 West Lothian Council – Equality Officer.
Equality Act 2010.
Inclusion where are we now? Inclusive schools demonstrate
equality Real Inclusion is based on core values The starting point ‘What can my staff
do to ensure that this child or young person succeeds in our school ?’
Demonstrated action and words Legal framework and process of
appeals and tribunals.
“I can’t meet their needs in my school. Can I ?”
Blind Severe learning difficultyProfoundly deaf Moderate learning
Autistic Downs Syndrome
Disabled Muscular Dystrophy Dyslexic Aspergers Global delay
Challenging behaviourEAL LAC Complex needsLanguage delay
Inclusion, Equality and Diversity What have we achieved ? Schools have improved and enhanced the achievement
of our most vulnerable learners, to address purposefully issues of equality and diversity.
Determination to tackle underperformance in meeting the needs of each individual learner.
Determination to treat all children equally. These schools ensure a strong sense of equality and fairness and actively promote inclusion.
The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 brought in a broader definition of additional support needs, and an emphasis on inclusive practices and the need to involve parents and pupils in discussions of how learning needs should be met. MUST DO.
Reflection Curricular design of learning packages for pupils with
significant need. How do you ensure that pupils with significant needs
are successful ? Progression beyond early?
Curriculum for Excellence is a curriculum for all. Critical, creative thinking skills and strategies Transferable skills for life and work Aware of varying learning styles making good use of
technology Attributes, capabilities and skills underpinning the
four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence
We need to align curriculum area outcomes that support the integration of the IEP into the learning sequence. Practical, meaningful and worthwhile.
Provide an organisational structure to support integrated, flexible planning for pupils. ( the principles of successful transition )
Finite PSW resource. How is this best managed?
Learning outcomes-all children Teachers must be creative and design contexts for learning
and lessons, which will motivate, capture the interest of pupils and impact on learning.
Understand the barriers to a pupil’s learning, identify and address.
Build on prior learning and ensure appropriate pace and challenge. High expectations.
Ensure pupil progress is continually monitored and tracked Link teaching and sequence activities to allow pupils to gain
knowledge and understanding through connecting, applying and transferring skills
Give pupils the independence to use skills they need to succeed
Adapt organisations for learning, adapt the environment to meet the needs of the pupil. Outreach services.
Evaluate and share next steps with the pupil, parents and key staff.
Essential practiceAssume that all children and young people
can be educated in your school
Use the expertise of other professionals at the earliest possible stage
Make parents feel confident in your ability to bring colleagues together to help support their child.
Eliminate negative comments.
Outreach Services
Service reviews Rationalise and ensure consistency
of service delivery to all schools Heads of services working party Valuable resource requires to be
deployed effectively Feedback to Head teachers
Extending Locality provision Cluster nurture base in Uphall serving the
Broxburn area Nurture base in Whitburn Academy Consultation for a class S4 - 6 from Cedarbank
to be established in Armadale Academy August 2011. Providing more opportunities for social inclusion and to prepare pupils for transition to college and to work.
Current provision - Cedarbank, Beatlie and Pinewood Special Schools, Pinewood special classes based in Polkemmet Primary, ASD ( St Kent’s, James Young, Balbardie and Dedridge ) Burnhouse Campus and Ogilvie Campus. Murrayfield Language Centre.
Special Education Blackburn ASD Class Murrayfield Language class for children in P1,
P2 or P3 for a short term placement. P4-7 class for children with an exceptional profile.
Pinewood School – new extension – still at capacity
0.72% of pupils in West Lothian are in Beatlie, Pinewood and Cedarbank
0.85% including Ogilvie and Burnhouse Places are for children who need them
Early Years Assessment
Early years process 190 referrals - 40% inappropriate Early intervention in the Nursery Common understanding and
shared language. Clear criteria for special schools
and this will be applied rigorously.
Draft Criteria – Pinewood School For pupils with severe additional support
needs. Complex profile which will include severe learning difficulty combined with one or more of the following:
ASD and /or social communication needs Severe physical and/or significant sensory
loss or impairment Challenging behaviour
Draft Criteria – Beatlie School For pupils with very severe and complex
additional support needs of a global nature.
The pupils will have a combination of one or more of the following
ASD and /or social communication needs Severe physical and/or significant sensory
loss or impairment Complex medical / nursing needs Challenging behaviour
What is expected outcome?
Leaders ensure that approaches to inclusion which underpin equality and fairness are understood by all staff and impact on the learning and achievement of children and young people.