Outreach
The Outreach Team are specialist support workers who provide intervention provision in mainstream schools for learners with social emotional and behavioural difficulties. We support schools in promoting the positive behaviour of learners. We are a County Service, funded by the Local Education Authority. We work with schools in the Dacorum area.
We provide early intervention for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and support for colleagues in schools. We aim to reduce the need for permanent exclusions from mainstream schools, and develop positive, honest relationships with our partner schools.
As an organisation we recognise that the needs of individual children within their schools differ widely and so, we offer a broad and flexible range of services. The requirements of the children and schools change, so can the nature of our intervention provision.
What can we offer?
When a learner is referred to us, a variety of options may be offered. Each intervention is personalised for the learner and may include;
- Individual behaviour programme with a specific focus
- Group work; social skills, friendship groups etc
- Transition Programme (KS1, KS2, KS3)
- Staff training
- Circle of friends/peer support
- Solution focused circle
- Reintegration support
- Managed move support
- Whole class programmes
- Intensive locality packages
- Sign posting / working with other agencies
- EHM input
- Support with statutory assessment paperwork
- Drop in sessions
- Observation, advice and strategies for school staff
- Support for school staff through regular communication, planning and discussion
- Support for parents to facilitate consistency between school and home
- Lego groups, Year 2 upwards
This is not an exhaustive list and we are continually developing our work with schools and professional partners.
How can support be accessed?
Schools will telephone DESC to discuss the individual case
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School completes an Outreach and Therapeutic Services Referral form, sent directly to DESC
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Staff will be sent a DBQ, a Steps “Roots and Fruits” form, and a sheet to gather more information. When all of this information has been returned, we are ready to allocate a caseworker
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School will be contacted and an appointment made to meet with the appropriate school representative to gather information.
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DESC staff organise observations and provide feedback for key staff.
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Parents/carers meet with DESC staff and where possible the class teacher.
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A partnership plan is agreed outlining the roles of school/DESC and parents in the intervention.
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The intervention starts. Weekly feedback is provided to schools, and meetings within schools as necessary.
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A review meeting is arranged on completion of the programme to discuss progress, achievements and to develop an action plan.
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DESC staff provide a written report at the end of the intervention, including the action plan and suggested strategies.
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Evaluations will be collected at the end of the process.
Kathryn Girdlestone, Outreach and Therapeutic Services Lead
kgirdlestone@desc.herts.sch.uk Mobile: 07496 824770
Telephone: 01442 247476 (Option 1)