All you need to know about Brookfields Outreach!

How our service developed:

The outreach service has developed over several years. A number of teachers have gone into schools to support pupils in their classroom. Over the years we have supported many children across the borough. Pupils are referred by the authority for support from Brookfields teachers. All teachers in Brookfields school are TEACCH, PECS and TEAM TEACH trained.  The teacher will provide support and guidance. Each time a child is visited in school a report on the observation, discussion and suggesting strategies to support the child more effectively is submitted to the SENCO at the school and to the class teacher.

 

What to expect from our service:

  • The child is observed within the classroom setting and a discussion takes place with the teaching team to find out what issues or areas the child and teaching team need support with.
  • Strategies are suggested to enable the child to be supported more effectively within the classroom.
  • Resources are suggested or developed to help support the child within the classroom.
  • The teaching staff in mainstream schools develop their ability and confidence to teach ASC children more effectively.
  • Staff from mainstream schools come into Brookfields to observe the suggested strategies and resources being used within the classroom.
  • Further training for school staff is sometimes suggested.
  • The level of support each child receives depends on their needs and pupils are seen on average, once per half term, although some pupils are seen more frequently and others are seen once per term.
  • The teacher working with a pupil and the SENCO know that they can contact the outreach teacher at school either by email or phone if they have a sudden issue that they need support with.

 

Impact:

  • The pupil is happier within their classroom as they are able to engage more, cope with the routines and relate more to their peers.
  • Pupils are able to stay within their own classroom and continue develop relationships with familiar peers and staff.
  • The staff in the main stream setting are more able to cope with the pressures of teaching a child with Autistic tendencies within a larger class.
  • The outreach teacher is able to suggest other agencies who may be able to support the child within the classroom.
  • The outreach teacher works with the school staff to develop individual support strategies for each child. This enables staff in the mainstream school to learn how to develop strategies to support their pupil
  • By using individual strategies appropriate to each child the pupil is better able to understand what is expected of them and is less likely to become frustrated, anxious or upset within the classroom.