Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School
Outside Agencies and Services
At Ribbleton Avenue Methodist Junior School, we work closely with a wide range of outside agencies and professionals to ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.
We believe strong partnership working helps us to better understand children’s needs, remove barriers to learning and support positive outcomes both in school and at home.
External professionals may work directly with children, provide advice for staff and parents, complete assessments, recommend strategies or support school in planning appropriate provision.
The agencies involved will depend on the individual needs of the child and support is always discussed with parents and carers.
Educational Psychology Service (EPS)
We work closely with the Lancashire Educational Psychology Service to support children and young people with SEND. Educational Psychologists use a consultation approach to help schools understand barriers to learning and support the graduated response to SEND. They may complete observations, assessments and provide advice for staff and families to help children access learning successfully. The service also supports the EHCP process and early intervention work.
SEND Rainbow Specialist Teachers
School works closely with Rainbow SEND Assessments specialist teachers to support pupils with a range of additional needs.
Specialist teachers may provide:
- Assessments and observations
- Advice for teachers and support staff
- Strategies to support learning and inclusion
- Support for speech, language and communication needs
- Support for cognition and learning difficulties
- Sensory and physical needs advice
- Training and modelling for staff
- Recommendations for adaptive teaching and classroom support
This support helps ensure provision remains personalised, inclusive and responsive to children’s individual needs.
Website:
https://rainbow-send-assessments.co.uk/
Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service
We work with the NHS Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service to support pupils with speech, language and communication needs. The service provides assessment, direct treatment, training for schools and parents, advice and reports for education settings, and support for children, families and professionals.
Speech and Language Therapists support children with:
- Speech difficulties
- Understanding and processing language
- Communication skills
- Social communication needs
- Attention and listening skills
- Vocabulary development
School may also deliver recommended programmes and interventions within class or small groups.
Website:
https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/our-services/service-finder-z/childrens-speech-and-language-therapy-service
Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS / CYPPS)
We may work alongside Lancashire and South Cumbria Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services when children need specialist support for emotional health, psychological distress or mental health difficulties.
These services provide:
- Specialist psychological assessment
- Therapeutic intervention
- Mental health support
- Support for anxiety, mood and behaviour difficulties
- Advice and support for families and schools
Referrals can be made online, through school or through a GP.
Key Charity Emotional Support Service
We also work alongside Key Charity’s Emotional Support Service, which supports children and young people aged 4–18.
Qualified counsellors and play therapists provide support for:
- Anxiety and worries
- Low mood
- Bereavement
- Anger management
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Emotional regulation
- Autism family support
- Coping strategies and resilience
Support is usually delivered through targeted one-to-one sessions and works closely with schools and families.
Website:
https://www.keycharity.org.uk/help-and-support/emotional-support-for-4-18-year-olds/
Acorn Psychology
Acorn Psychology provides educational psychology and wellbeing support services across the North West.
Their team includes:
- Educational Psychologists
- Specialist Teachers
- Counsellors
- Psychotherapists
- Assistant Educational Psychologists
They support schools and families through:
- Assessments
- Therapeutic support
- SEND advice
- Training and consultation
- Mental health and wellbeing support
Website:
https://www.acornpsychology.co.uk/
Reach Behaviour
We work alongside Reach Behaviour to support pupils experiencing SEMH and behavioural difficulties.
Reach Behaviour provides bespoke support for schools, families and children who may be struggling within mainstream education or who may be at risk of exclusion. Their work focuses strongly on relational approaches, emotional wellbeing and inclusion.
Support may include:
- Behaviour support and advice
- SEMH strategies
- Reintegration support
- Transition support
- Parent support
- Individual pupil intervention
- Staff guidance and modelling
Website:
https://reachbehaviour.com/
Inclusion and Engagement Support Team (IEST)
We work with Lancashire’s Inclusion and Engagement Support Team (IEST), which supports children and young people who may be struggling to access full-time mainstream education or who may be at risk of exclusion or placement breakdown.
The team works closely with schools, pupils and families to promote inclusion and improve engagement in education.
Support may include:
- Advice and intervention for pupils at risk of exclusion
- Behaviour and SEMH support
- Staff training
- Attendance and reintegration support
- Individual support plans
- Support for pupils with EHCPs or SEND
- Modelling inclusive approaches
Golden Hill Short Stay School / GHIST
We also work closely with Golden Hill Short Stay School and the Golden Hill Inclusion Support Team (GHIST).
Golden Hill is a Primary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) commissioned by Lancashire County Council which supports pupils who may be at risk of permanent exclusion or who require additional SEMH and behavioural support.
Some pupils may access a short-term placement at Golden Hill to support:
- Social, emotional and mental health needs
- Emotional regulation
- Behaviour support
- Re-engagement with education
- Reintegration into mainstream school
- Reduction of exclusion risk
Golden Hill offers short-stay placements alongside specialist SEMH intervention, smaller class sizes and targeted support. The aim is to help pupils rebuild confidence, improve engagement and successfully return to mainstream education wherever possible.
GHIST also provides:
- Outreach support
- Behaviour strategies
- Professional guidance
- Staff training
- Advice around inclusion and SEMH support
Website:
https://www.goldenhill.lancs.sch.uk/
Neurodevelopmental Pathway / Right to Choose
Where appropriate, school may support families with referrals relating to:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Neurodevelopmental differences
This may include:
- Providing evidence for referrals
- Completing school reports
- Supporting parents with referral processes
- Liaising with professionals
Children and Family Wellbeing Service (CFW)
CFW provide support for families around:
- Attendance
- Behaviour
- Parenting support
- Emotional wellbeing
- Early Help support
- Family challenges and routines
School Nurse
The School Nursing Team can provide advice and support regarding:
- Medical needs
- Emotional wellbeing
- Sleep
- Healthy lifestyles
- Toileting
- General health concerns
Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
Where appropriate, children may receive support for:
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Physical development
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Coordination difficulties
Play Therapy and Counselling
School also provides access to:
- Play therapy
- Counselling
- Emotional wellbeing support
- SEMH interventions
Working Together
Parents and carers are always involved in discussions regarding outside agency involvement and referrals. We believe strong communication between school, home and professionals is essential in ensuring children receive effective support.
If you would like further information about any of the services above, please contact Mrs Bleasdale (SENDCo) through the school office on 01772 792083.