The Specialist Teacher for pre-school children with Significant Developmental Delay and/or Complex Needs aims to promote the potential development of each child by empowering the parents/carers to become the main educator of their child. The service is delivered during term time The Specialist Service is provided where appropriate to pre-school children and their families, 0-5 years of age, who are Hammersmith & Fulham residents:
• An initial baseline assessment of the child through observations and discussions with the family.
• This assessment is recorded on a standardised checklist, Detailed Profile 0-5 years (NFER), to establish the child’s consolidated and emerging skills. For learner’s with profound and multiple difficulties the Individualised Profile Assessment Curriculum Target Setting (ImPACTS) is used.
• In subsequent visits the Specialist Teacher, through discussions with the parent/carer, provides information about early child development and how to maximise on the child’s emerging skills
• Close liaison with all medical and specialist professionals ensures a coordinated and targeted approach to individual child support.
• Support to families during transition phases, visiting prospective placements, explanation of the process of a possible Education and Health Care Plan and liaison with the designated placement.
• Support to families during transition phases, visiting prospective placements, explanation of the process of a possible Education and Health Care Plan and liaison with the designated placement.
• INSET to early years educators. Topics include toilet training, task analysis, multisensory environments, sensory stories and communication passports.
• Where possible equipment and toys can be loaned to enhance specific learning outcomes.