The Outreach team provide support for pupils who are admitted to Forth Valley Royal Children’s Ward, with a job share post of two part time teachers, and one part time support for learning assistant, covering Monday to Friday.

We support Primary and Secondary pupils, normally up to the age of 16, but up to age 18, for Additional Support Needs pupils.  For the majority of pupils admitted to the ward, the average stay is between one to two days. If a pupil will be on the ward for five days or more, teaching can commence immediately. The five days can also include any time off school immediately prior to admission.

The hospital teaching staff work closely with the hospital staff and will take their advice and guidance, as well as their professional judgement, regarding a pupil’s ability to complete school work.

The hospital teachers will request permission from the parents/carers of a child, to contact their school, (especially, if they are to be a longer term admission). The pupil’s school is responsible for providing any school work, which the hospital teaching staff will contact the school to supply. The hospital teaching staff will support the pupil to complete this work, either working with them by their bedside or in the school teaching room, located on the Children’s Ward.

A record of work is completed by the hospital teaching staff for longer term patients and will be sent on to the school once the pupil has been discharged. We also keep in contact by email with the school, whilst the pupil is a patient, to update them on the pupil’s progress.

For pupils who are only on the ward for a short period of time, we can provide fun activities, for example, arts and crafts, mindfulness colouring and board games. We are supported on the ward by two play leaders and the volunteer service. We also work closely with an Art Link worker who can provide distraction activities.

The hospital teaching staff overall provide a support and pastoral role to pupils and their parents/carers whilst they are admitted to hospital, which can be a stressful and uncertain time for families.