Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We know this is a difficult time for everyone. Please follow the links below for helpful information in relation to speaking to children about the situation, planning your child’s time and accessing resources that may help to cope with the current context.
Information and resources about talking to children and young people about Coronavirus
https://young.scot/campaigns/national/coronavirus
https://theautismeducator.ie/2020/03/11/corona-virus-social-story/
https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/talking-children-about-coronavirus
https://www.cosla.gov.uk/covid19-advice-supporting-children-and-young-people
Information about activities you can do at home and support to plan your day
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-14-day-self-isolation-activities/
https://l.ead.me/bbTE3n?fbclid=IwAR1JJNcwq19HDgHX1fwvoSq-MdU9gKFGqeZifmDMv4snpKFyLxhspro2y14
Referral process
We only become involved with your permission. If you have a concern about your child’s learning, development or wellbeing, the first step is to speak with your child’s nursery/school about your concerns.
If your child is pre-3, speak to your Health Visitor about your concerns in the first instance. Your Health Visitor can refer your child to the Council’s Early Years Community Assessment Team (EYCAT), which can access the Educational Psychology Service as well as a range of other supports.
Your child’s nursery or school already has a system in place for monitoring and reviewing the progress and wellbeing of all children and young people. Each local authority nursery and school has a named (or ‘Link’) Educational Psychologist who visits them on a regular basis. Each nursery and school has a Pupil Support Group or Support for All Group which is attended by the link Educational Psychologist, as well as other professionals eg. Education Support Teacher, Speech and Language Therapist. These groups meet regularly and aim to create a multi-agency team which discuss support needs across the school/nursery. If appropriate, and with your permission, the nursery/school can request assistance from our Service.
How we work
Many thanks to our colleagues at East Renfrewshire Council Psychological Service for allowing us to use this video.
GDPR statement
For information on how we handle your data, please find our GDPR statement here.
Service Leaflets
Please take a look at our service information leaflets:
A guide to Educational Psychology Assessment
Overview of LEA decision making groups
The majority of young people with ASN are supported within the school/ early years’ establishments. Children who attend a preschool or partnership nursery and are identified as having additional support needs may be referred to the nursery’s ‘Support for All’ team for further discussion and supports and changes within the nursery setting will be considered first. Where it is agreed that further assessment, planning and support or access to a specialist provision may be required there may be a decision to make a request to the Ealry Years Community Assessment Team (EYCAT).
For children and young people of school age, learners identified as having additional support needs may be discussed at the school’s ‘Pupil Support Group’ team where supports and changes within the school setting will be considered first.
Where it is agreed that a higher level of assessment, planning and support or access to a specialist provision may be required, learners can be referred to either one of two mutli-agency forums:
EARLY YEARS COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT TEAM (EYCAT)
EYCAT is a multi-agency group who coordinate services for children below school age who require additional support. The EYCAT forum is chaired by an Inclusion Officer and has a wide range of representatives from Education, Health and Social Work. Requests to the EYCAT forum are usually made by another professional such as a Health Visitor or Paediatrician. Requests to EYCAT are only accepted with the full consent and agreement of parent/ carer.
LOCALITY LIAISON GROUP (LLG) / GIRFEC LIAISON GROUP (GLG)
For learners of school age (including those who are in their preschool year and are seeking a primary one place in a specialist resource at Tier 2 & 3) there is the Locality Liaison Group (LLG). There are two LLG groups – one for Bearsden and Milngavie locality and another for Bishopbriggs, Lenzie and Kirkintilloch locality. All recommendations are then sent for further consideration to the GIRFEC Liaison Group (GLG). Both of these groups are attended by representatives from education, speech therapy and social work.
Further information is available within: Including Every Learner: Policy and provision for children and young people with additional support needs in East Dunbartonshire Council. Including Every Learner
