The Early Intervention Service

What then?

Once a referral has been made, a short assessment is undertaken both within the school and with the family to gather further information. This enables the Early Intervention Service team to decide whether other services might be more appropriately involved, or if the pupil is to be offered support.

Once a place becomes vacant parents return with their child to begin the gradual process of introduction to 'The Acorns'. Transport to the Centre from home each morning can also be provided for pupils, if necessary, and time is set aside to familiarise the child with the journey.

Although places at 'The Acorns Centre' are part-time, all children have lunch at 'The Acorns' before being 'bussed' back to their school for the afternoon session. This serves as another opportunity for social learning and provides a structure for lunchtime, which is often a difficult time. Free school meals can be arranged at 'The Acorns' and this is a cold packed lunch.

Additionally, all members of school staff involved with a pupil are invited to visit 'The Acorns' as soon as feasible after the placement has started. From the outset, Special Educational Needs Coordinators and class teachers meet regularly with the Early Intervention Service teachers to plan and discuss each pupil's work and behaviour and jointly draw up Individual Education plans for their 'shared 'pupil.

Progress is reviewed every 6 weeks at meetings with the schools and parents, and Early Intervention Service teachers available to consult with, and advise their pupils' class teachers at all times. Where possible additional outreach support is provided to a school at times of exceptional need e.g. to prevent a permanent exclusion.