EAST works collaborate with colleagues from Psychological Services, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and Social Work to ensure learners needs are meet. Some examples of recent collaboration includes:

• Visual Stress – In conjunction with NHS Ayrshire and Arran VAROC Clinic, EAST has established a refreshed screening pathway for identification of Visual Stress. EAST now issues appropriate coloured overlays to learners assessed as at risk of having Visual Stress for a 6-month trial period. Learners are then reviewed/ re-assessed to determine if an RfA to the VAROC clinic for diagnosis and consideration for coloured lenses/glasses is appropriate. Learners have quicker access to the support of an overlay if deemed as at risk of visual stress. This has reduced pressure on the VAROC Clinic (only one appointment required instead of two) with no negative impact on access to support for learners. EAST has supported the roll out of EA Visual Stress protocols to colleagues across South Ayrshire, helping to establish our best practice in a neighbouring authority.
• Seasons for Growth – EAST, working alongside our Education Psychological Services delivered Seasons for Growth training. Two rounds of companion training has been completed with 18 new companions trained across East Ayrshire. EAST staff created and delivered online refresher training to established Seasons Companions.
• EAST worked collaboratively with Education Psychological Service to update Standard Circulars 102 and 102a taking account of national/authority policies and new research in relation to assessment. They have merged into one document entitled Standard Circular 102: East Ayrshire Assessment Process.
• SCERTS – EAST have contributed to working groups regarding SCERTS at local and national level. EAST have created a case study as part of the CLPL PLC to raise awareness of the SCERTS assessment process and there has been a request from NAIT shared nationally.
• Speech and Language skills – EAST has continued to collaborate with SaLT colleagues in a number of areas:
• Four EAST staff have completed Elklan trainer programmes with one EAST teacher delivering joint training with a Speech and Language Therapist (SAC). Three CA Coaches have attended Elklan training and identified links to current interventions. EAST and SaLT have continued to develop a targeted model of intervention and training for learners with phonological delay. These activities have given EAST staff and EA colleagues a greater understanding of speech and language acquisition
• The Hosptial Education Service has worked with NHS IT department to improve online access for learners accessing HES. Three 3 EAC are iPads now available for HES use and all have Microsoft TEAMs GLOW installed. Pupils have access to a wider range of educational apps via HES. Pupils are able to access GLOW and TEAMs for remote learning which make it easier to liaise with class teachers of HES pupils out with the authority. An EAST teacher was part of a multidisciplinary working group within Crosshouse Hospital that produced an information book on FASD which has been uploaded to the EAST GLOW tile for EA staff to access. An EAST teacher worked alongside the Play leader in the paediatric ward to streamline HES resources and dispose of outdated materials.