IMPORTANCE OF EARLY INTERVENTION

What is it?

Early intervention is about giving children with learning and developmental challenges, wellbeing concerns or a disability, and their families support to enable their child to have the best possible start in life. Early intervention helps children develop the key foundational skills they need to learn and thrive within their environment. It helps set children up for school and provides them with many more learning and social opportunities. Early intervention is reliant on collaborative working across services and with all stakeholders supporting the child.

What does the intervention look like?

As it is important to identify in which areas a child requires support, to assist in their development, parents will be invited to a meeting where we can gather information on the history of your child’s development, concerns seen at school and recommendations to be actioned. We can then assist you with the referral process to access intervention. Parents can also initiate a referral process and inform the school of any recommendations that may be implemented during the school day. This could be in the form of; - Occupational therapy - Speech therapy - Behaviour training - Social skills - Tutoring (outside of school) - School psychology services - Specialist medical practitioners (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, ophthalmologists) - School-based intervention (e.g., small group work, MiniLit, MultiLit, curriculum adjustments) - School-based Health and wellbeing support - English as an additional language or dialect support.

Why is Early Intervention IMPORTANT?

• Prevents problems from occurring or getting worse

• Fosters personal strengths and skills that prepare a child for adult life

• Reduces the amount of support a person needs during their lifetime

• Relieves the pressure on public services

• Builds communities that are more resilient and supportive places for children and young people to grow up

• Helps children and young people to develop the skills they need to live happy, healthy, and successful lives

• Improves the quality of children’s home lives and family relationships

• Increases educational attainment - the best outcomes are achieved when a child is 0-5 years of age.

• The developmental and learning gaps grow larger with the delay of intervention.

• Services prioritise younger children, so wait times are often less.

If you have a concern about your child please speak with your child’s teacher.

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Learning K-5