Meeting and Supporting the Needs of our Children
Through careful observation the key worker may identify children with an additional support need or perhaps requiring support with the challenges of attending the Children’s Centre. The Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach has been national policy in Scotland since 2010.
Inverclyde Council have developed the Girfec Pathways to support these children. Any child may need extra support in his/her learning at some point. This may be a short-term need (for example if the child has experienced bereavement) or the child may require longer term support.
Initially strategies may be put in place to support children’s learning; these would be discussed with the parent. Further advice may be obtained through Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists etc if necessary.
Every team member has a responsibility to support the learning of all children. The type of support offered will vary according to the needs of the individual. This includes consideration given to children with social, emotional and behavioral needs, children with learning needs of a specific or general nature, children who are exceptionally able, those who demonstrate underachievement relating to gender issues, children whose learning has been interrupted through absence or illness, bilingual children who have English as an additional language, travelling children and those children whose family circumstances impact on attendance and learning.
Support can be offered through:
- Girfec Pathway Child’s Plans (where appropriate)
- observing Local Authority and National policies and procedures, including Child Protection
- attending case conferences and reviews
- maintaining good communication with parents and other agencies involved
- Using appropriate learning and teaching strategies to support children
- liaising with partner agencies
- supporting at the transfer stage.
Additional Support Needs
Every member of staff has a responsibility to support the learning of all children. The term Additional Support Needs applies to children who, for whatever reason, require extra support, long or short term, in order to allow them to fully access the curriculum. The type of support offered will vary according to the needs of the child.
This includes consideration given to children who:-
• have a disability,
• have social, emotional and behavioral difficulties,
• have learning difficulties of a specific or general nature,
• are exceptionally able,
• demonstrate under achievement relating to gender issues
• have had their learning interrupted through absence or illness
• have English as an additional language,
• have family circumstances that have an impact on attendance and learning.
In order to help staff meet children’s Additional Support Needs, a Staged Assessment & Intervention process has been developed. In many instances the children will be supported in the playroom by the nursery staff.
For some children partner agencies may be asked to offer support where necessary.
If your child experiences difficulties in learning that you are concerned about, this can be shared and discussed with the key worker or a member of the management team.
For further information please feel free to contact the nursery or visit Enquire for independent, confidential advice and information.
Enquire
08451232303
info@enquire.org.uk
www.enquire.org.uk
