1. Unit 6 Understanding children’s additional needs
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2. LO4 Understand the role of early intervention.
AC 4.1 Describe the importance of early intervention when meeting children’s additional needs.
AC 4.2 Explain strategies for early intervention.
AC 4.3 Evaluate benefits of working in partnership with others to meet children’s additional needs.
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3. LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.1]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss what you would do if you had concerns that a child in your setting was not meeting their expected stages of development.
How would you become aware of a child who was struggling?
What would be the first thing that you would do?
How long would you monitor the child’s progress for?
At what stage would you discuss your concerns with the parents?
Teacher notes:
These questions are designed to promote discussion.
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4. The importance of early intervention
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.1]
The importance of early intervention
The government strategy document ‘Removing barriers to achievement’, states that early intervention is required:
‘to ensure that children who have difficulties learning receive the help they need as soon as possible and that parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities have access to suitable childcare.’
It devotes a whole chapter to early intervention, which highlights the importance it places on this.
Useful resources:
‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’: Government strategy document for SEN – chapter 1 is relevant
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5. The importance of early intervention
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.1]
The importance of early intervention
The report also suggests that early intervention allows some children to catch up with their peers and others to receive the support that they need as early as possible in order to avoid frustration and long term under-achievement.
The importance of early intervention is also emphasised in the Common Assessment Framework is introduced, a useful tool in early intervention.
Useful resources:
‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’: Government strategy document for SEN – chapter 1 is relevant
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6. Research the importance of early intervention.
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.1]
Time: 15 mins
Research the importance of early intervention.
Are there any views opposing early intervention?
Note the strategies that are in place to support early intervention.
How effective is early intervention?
Teacher notes:
Learners should consider the criticisms of early intervention (see ‘Issues in earlier intervention: identifying and supporting children with additional needs’ in Useful resources below) as well as the positive aspects.
Useful resources:
Early identification of children with additional needs
‘Guidance for Identifying and Supporting Young Children with Special Educational Needs for Early Years Settings, Schools and Support Services’
‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’: Government strategy document for SEN – chapter 1 is relevant
Every Child Matters – Chapter 4 ‘Early Intervention and Effective Protection’
‘Issues in earlier intervention: identifying and supporting children with additional needs’ – research and analysis reports
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7. LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.1]
Time: 15 mins
List the reasons for early intervention when supporting children’s needs.
Consider:
Stage of development
Meeting children’s individual needs
Children’s rights and entitlements
Equality and diversity
Early support.
Make notes to share in the Group activity.
Teacher notes:
Learners should refer to:
EYFS Child Development Overview
Removing Barriers to Achievement
UNCRC
Every Child Matters (note that this is archived).
Useful resources:
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Handbook – Chapter 3 ‘Inclusion’ is relevant
Development Matters in the EYFS – guidance material
The Common Assessment Framework (archived material)
‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’: Government strategy document for SEN – chapter 1 is relevant
Full text of the UNCRC
Every Child Matters – Chapter 4 ‘Early Intervention and Effective Protection’ (archived material)
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8. Strategies for early intervention
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.2]
Strategies for early intervention
Important strategies for early intervention are:
a knowledgeable workforce – practitioners who are aware of developmental stages
regular observation – knowing what to look for
good record keeping
quality liaising with parents
keeping abreast of current research and initiatives
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
sharing experience with other practitioners.
Teacher notes:
These are just a few strategies – learners could also consider the ‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’ document.
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9. Discuss the strategies listed on slide 8.
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.2]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss the strategies listed on slide 8.
Do you think there is an order of importance?
Consider each strategy and discuss all the issues involved, for example, a knowledgeable workforce will involve training.
Are there any other strategies that should be included?
Share your notes about the reasons for early intervention.
Design a poster to explain the reasons for early intervention. Include explanations of the strategies involved.
Teacher notes:
Learners should refer to:
EYFS Child Development Overview
Removing Barriers to Achievement
UNCRC
Every Child Matters (note that this is archived).
Useful resources:
Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Handbook – Chapter 3 ‘Inclusion’ is relevant
Development Matters in the EYFS – guidance material
The Common Assessment Framework (archived material)
‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’: Government strategy document for SEN – chapter 1 is relevant
Full text of the UNCRC
Every Child Matters – Chapter 4 ‘Early Intervention and Effective Protection’ (archived material)
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10. Working in partnership
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.3]
Working in partnership
Key principles of working in partnership with others:
Listening – it is important to listen to each other
Respect – show respect to others you are working with and their different skills
Strengths – working to and sharing own strengths
Understanding and honesty
Good communication
Defining common goals
Confidentiality.
Teacher notes:
These are just a few strategies – learners could also consider the ‘Removing Barriers to Achievement’ document.
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11. Who might those ‘other’ people be? Discuss the principles on slide 10.
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.3]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss principles for working with others to meet and support children’s additional needs.
Who might those ‘other’ people be?
Discuss the principles on slide 10.
Are any of them more important than the others?
Are any principles missing?
What are the benefits of following these principles when working in partnership?
Teacher notes:
Learners should consider all the other parents, as well as all the professionals that they may work with.
If they find it difficult to think of people that they may work with, you could suggest wom of the roles below.
Others that you may work in partnership with to meet children’s additional needs:
Speech therapist
Signer
Support teacher for the hearing impaired
Support teacher for the visually impaired
Teaching assistant
Social worker
Special educational needs coordinator (SENCo)
Counsellor
Educational psychologist
Behaviour support team
Physiotherapist
Occupational therapist
Play specialist
Health visitor
Education welfare officer.
Useful resources:
Sample chapter: ‘The Origin, Concept and Principles of Multi-Agency Partnership Working’ – from Effective Multi-Agency Partnerships, Rita Cheminais, Sage 2009
Benefits of multi-agency working – has useful topics to click on to for further information
DfE article on multi-agency working, links to further resources
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12. The importance of liaising closely with parents. Consider:
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.2, 4.3]
Time: 15 mins
Discuss:
The importance of observation skills in identifying children’s additional needs
The importance of liaising closely with parents.
Consider:
How these are used in your own setting
How useful they are in your own setting.
Teacher notes:
Learners should relate their learning to their own setting.
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13. Research the Common Assessment Framework (CAF).
LO4 Understand the role of early intervention [AC 4.2, 4.3]
Time: 15 mins
Research the Common Assessment Framework (CAF).
How does this support the child and their family?
How does it support working in partnership with others?
Teacher notes:
Learners should be aware of the CAF and the principles behind it.
They should find out if it is used in their setting.
Useful resources:
Common Assessment Framework – the pre-CAF and full CAF forms (archived material)
The Common Assessment Framework (archived material)
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14. Have learnt about and researched the importance of early intervention.
In this lesson we:
Have learnt about and researched the importance of early intervention.
Have become aware of criticisms of early intervention.
Have discussed strategies for early intervention.
Have learnt about and discussed principles for working with others to meet and support children’s additional needs.
Have researched the Common Assessment Framework.
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15. Have you seen any other strategies in use?
Ask your supervisor how they draw up plans for a child once they have identified concerns.
Consider the strategies for early intervention. How many have you observed in your setting?
Have you seen any other strategies in use?
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