Employing Professionals Project ASCEND

About ASCEND. Launched December Phase II hub 20 schools in Haywards Heath area (18 primary, 2 Secondary) Built on existing collaboration through CIC. Steering group report to CIC Executive Board Members include, 2 Headteachers, 2 SENCos, 1 parent carer,1 0-4 sector and 1 governor representative. 16+ representative coming soon….

How did we get started? Audit of need Endless questionnaires Highlighted 2 main areas of need: High proportion of delayed speech - Year R/1 High proportion of low level behavioural need probably with underlying emotional needs - Year 5

BESDCognition and LearningCommunication & Interactionsensory/physical Behaviour Emotional Social SLD spLD MLD / Global Language delay delayed speech dysfluent speech social communication disordered speech receptive language expressive attention visual impairment hearing impairment medical fine physical disability gross physical disability total YR Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y8 0 Y9 0 Y10 0 Y11 0 total total

Why is this important? Year R/1 critical time for children with language delay. Go on to have issues across the curriculum including maths, reading and writing. Existing need doesn’t meet thresholds for external support. Year 5/6 low level emotional and behavioural difficulties can be better managed within the primary setting. How can we prepare children for transition to secondary phase. At this level there is no external support for children to gain self management strategies.

ASCEND philosophy. move from a system where we need to prove a deficit over time in order to access support to a system where needs are recognised at an early stage and early intervention is accessed to support children and prevent problems escalating.

Solution ! ASCEND has employed a Play Therapist Speech and Language Therapist Family and Child Support Worker For one day a week.

Getting started… Therapists all previously known and recommended by schools within ASCEND Issued with a one year contract: per day cost to include all assessment, treatment, travel, reports, CPD and supervision. Checks on HPC registration, qualifications, DBS status and insurance. Half termly reports Governance arrangements including complaints procedure

The project Important to be able to demonstrate value for money and impact Project was limited to specific year groups and criteria Detailed within an information pack and forwarded to all schools. Professionals very involved in design of project, referral criteria, referral form and procedures.

Statistics to date Project launched September First term: team received 29 referrals.

Impact “ The ability to refer to the Ascend programme has improved the opportunities for support for our children. The referral process is quick and easy and the response from the therapists has been swift and encouraging.” SENCo, Warden Park Primary Academy

Impact