It is recognised that Support for Learning is at its most effective when all partners involved work together. This will be a key feature for the Learning Partnership as it develops. Particular focus points will be as follows:
Contacts with Outside Agencies:
The school maintains close contact with a variety of outside agencies, as joint working is recognised as the best way to support pupils (Children (Scotland) Act). Contact is made by Support for Learning staff, Guidance staff and the S.M.T.. The main agenices involved are:
- Social Work
- Psychological Services
- School Medical Service
- Bilingual Support Service
- Hearing Impairment Service
- Careers Service
- Visual Impairment Service
- Occupational Therapy Service
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Physiotherapy Service
- Community Education
- National Societies, such as the Autistic Society.
Many of these services come together through the School Assessment Team and the Partnership Assessment Team to support children in school. Staff will also attend Children’s Panel meetings if required.
Parental Contact.
It is recognised that parents play a cruicial role in supporting children’s learning. Both Support for Learning staff and Guidance staff maintain regular informal links with parents/carers. Parents/carers of children with an I.E.P. have two informal meetings in a session to discuss progress, attended by both Support for Learning staff and Guidance, if possible. It is stressed to parents/carers that they are welcome in school at any time, if they wish to meet with staff. Parents/carers of pupils involved in the paired reading scheme and the after-school reading club are kept up-to-date with events by post, and encouraged to support both initiatives at home.
Primary/Secondary Liason.
The Principal Teacher Support for Learning, in conjunction with the School Psychologist, attends meetings with primary colleagues and parents to discuss the best way to support the transfer of children with complex learning needs.
