The Haven Staff The Haven is led by Mrs Sharon Robertson, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Haven Staff – The Haven is led by Mrs Sharon Robertson, headteacher. – Miss Sophie Bennison is the teacher – Mrs Lisa Hubbard is the teaching assistant

What is The Haven? Errington is now an enhanced mainstream school (EMS) – This means we have a specialist teaching classroom, designed for children – who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH). These children can often struggle to cope in, or accept classroom – environments, which can lead to them feeling isolated and becoming disruptive to their own and others learning. The style of teaching, environment, volume and pace of learning can be – problematic for children struggling with SEMH difficulties. The Haven offers a calm, non-judgemental and adaptive approach to – learning, with a focus on children developing their own sense of self and recognising their needs.

The Haven Classroom – Specialist teaching area with work space for up to 6 children – Subject-specific areas modelled on the EYFS framework: creative area, writing area, maths area, discovery area, reading area, carpet area, sand and water area, ball pool, sensory area, etc. – Attached toilet – Safe space area: designed for soothing, self-regulation, recognising emotion and to simply calm themselves. – Garden area with outdoor seating, PE equipment and toys, offering an opportunity for free-flow and outdoor learning. – There is a focus on SEMH awareness and education

The Haven Classroom

The Haven Classroom

Why do we need The Haven? Errington, and the larger Redcar and Cleveland area, has a high proportion of – children who have: High levels of anxiety – Have had significant trauma in their lives – Some children may have experienced forms of abuse – Have difficult home lives – Have significant emotions – Have medical issues – Have mental health issues – Attachment – Sensory disorders – Other disorders – All children and young people are entitled to an education that is appropriate to – their needs, promotes high standards and fulfilment. This should enable them to: achieve their best, become confident individuals living fulfilling lives and make a successful transition into adulthood- whether into employment, further or higher education or training.

Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs are a type of special educational needs in which children/young people have severe difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour. They often show inappropriate responses and feelings to situations. This means that they have trouble in building and maintaining relationships with peers and adults; they can also struggle to engage with learning and to cope in classroom without additional strategies and interventions. Children with SEMH will often feel anxious, scared and misunderstood. Behaviour is communication.

Typical characteristics of children with SEMH can include: – Withdrawal, depression, anxiety Recent figures estimate that around – Isolated 150,000 children in mainstream and special Traumatised schools are suffering from SEMH. Meltdowns SEMH does not have to be a lifelong condition. – Anxiety and self-harm Frustration, anger and aggression With appropriate support children and Uncooperative behaviours young people can move forward and live successful lives. – Eating disorders – Physical symptoms which are medically unexplained – Disruptive behaviours

What services does the Haven offer? Quality first teaching – outreach, training, courses, strategies – Support with plans, strategies, referrals, agencies, support in classroom as outreach – Support with application being presented at a panel, – Support with application for funding – Provide specialist agency support, such as educational psychologist, counselling, specialist teacher input – Provide outreach support in schools for SEMH children from teachers and teaching assistants with – specific skills and specialising in SEMH Provide in reach support in schools for SEMH children from teachers and teaching assistants – Creating a nurturing environment – Specific individualised planning and a curriculum to meet needs – Training around SEMH – Support for families – Offering advice – Completing of meetings and reports –

Outreach support Discussions around the child in terms of a referral for outreach support – Understanding the exact context of the school, needs of the child and current approach – The outreach support will be practical and not report based. Focus will be on what is – needed and support for the school – although evidence will be gathered in case further referrals need to be made for in reach The Haven staff will work alongside school staff and support what their needs, delivering – and creating a program of work and strategies to support the child initially in their own setting This will be an intervention for as long as required to support the needs of everyone and – until this becomes self sustaining If further support is needed then an in reach referral will be made –

In reach support – The information around the child will be brought to the panel for discussion – Following outreach support, the child may attend The Haven on a daily basis for a period of time – this is flexible and adaptive – Some children may attend half a day – some full days – this will depend on the stage of the child and their individual needs – Children will be dual registered and will always remain on roll at their own school – The Haven will not be opening places to permanently excluded children

In reach support cont. – The aim is to support the child, their guardians and the school, and try to avoid a permanent exclusion – The length of time will depend on the needs, strategies, progress and transition – Some children may need a long-term placement to address specific needs – If we feel that the child would benefit from alternative provision, beyond school and The Haven, then we will support the process of researching and applying for provisions which would better meet their needs – Children may have taxi’s to bring them into school – these would arrive at 8.30am not to impact on traffic and collected at 2.30pm

The Haven team will: – Work closely with agencies – (counselling, specialist teacher service, educational psychologist, Mental Health, NHS) – Work closely with schools and staff – Work closely with SEND team – Work closely with Local Authority – Work closely with parents

Learning and Environment The school is committed to providing an environment that allows SEMH children to learn, progress and develop outcomes. Through careful planning and reasonable adjustments, pupils with SEMH engage in a creative curriculum which enables academic progression. Children are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the school and in any wider community activity or educational visit. We work with parents and pupils to listen to their views, feelings and wishes to ensure pupils with SEMH can do so.

Thank you. Any questions?