resources into schools

Resources into Schools is a bespoke service with the aim of increasing progress in school for children with Down Syndrome. It includes an assessment at school of the individual child’s needs and the current strategies in place, and offers the school team working with the child expert input and guidance on how to enable the child to progress.

This service is currently offered free of charge and must be applied for by the parent(s).

There are four stages to the service:

1) APPLICATION:

  • Applications must be made by the child’s parents. Parents must speak to their child’s school in advance to gain agreement for the Specialist Down Syndrome Advisor visits into school to take place. If you would like to send some information to your school to help them understand the service, please use our SCHOOLS FLYER which can be downloaded here.

  • This service is offered free of charge to families and schools in Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties.

2) In-school assessment

Our Specialist Down Syndrome Advisor will arrange a visit to the child’s school. The Advisor will meet with the relevant school staff to discuss the child’s needs, current strategies in place and key areas where further support or input may be required. This assessment visit may also include an observation of the child taking part in relevant school activities.

3) recomMendation & TRAINING VISIT

Following the assessment, our Specialist Down Syndrome Advisor will make a recommendation for either a specific resource or some training.

  • If a resource is recommended, DS Achieve will purchase the resource and arrange for it to be delivered to the child’s school.

  • If training is recommended, the Specialist Down Syndrome Advisor will arrange a date to return to school to deliver the training.

The Specialist Down Syndrome Advisor will then arrange a second school visit for training purposes.

  • If a resource has been purchased, the Advisor will train the relevant school staff on how to use the resource and will offer advice and guidance on how to engage the child, based on the child’s individual needs and motivations. They will also look at targets for the child and how to move these forward once the child reaches each stage.

  • If training is recommended, the Advisor will deliver the training to the relevant school staff, giving bespoke advice and guidance based on the child’s individual needs and/or challenges.

4) follow up

Once the second visit is complete, the school team will need some time to put the new strategies into place. The Specialist Advisor will then contact the school after a month or two to see how things are going and if any troubleshooting advice is needed. If a school has any questions or difficulties in the meantime, they are most welcome to get in touch for a follow up call to take place more quickly.

If you have any questions, please contact us on info@dsachieve.org / 07824 467471.