Neurodiversity project makes a key difference for Kirklees children
A local project to improve support for neurodiverse children in Kirklees schools has been hailed a great success.
The scheme was designed to improve children’s attendance and wellbeing at school and to support them in achieving well and fulfilling their potential.
The term neurodiverse covers a range of neurological conditions, including autism, ADHD and various learning differences.
The project brought together experts to work with a group of mainstream primary schools, strengthen their links with pupils’ families and enhance their provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It also equipped school staff with even better skills to meet the needs of neurodiverse children.
Fourteen Kirklees schools took part in the initial pilot scheme, with a second phase expected to start in the near future and build on the work already started.
The work is called Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools – or ‘PINS’ for short – and is led by a range of people across the Kirklees SEND partnership, including health and education specialists and local parent/carer group PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs).
At an event to mark the end of the pilot scheme, all 14 schools were praised for their important work in supporting neurodiverse children.
There were case studies of how school SEND co-ordinators worked with other organisations, such as Kirklees Council, PCAN, Barnardo’s and health bodies, to develop staff training, breakfast clubs for children and coffee events for parents to discuss issues around education.
Cllr Viv Kendrick, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said:
“We share a huge commitment to making sure all of our children, young people and families receive the very best help and support.
“The PINS project is a superb example of different organisations joining together in the best interests of children with additional needs. It has been a great success and we look forward to developing it in the future.”
Cllr Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet member for Education and Communities, said:
“Neurodiverse children can face a lot more challenges than their peers, but we are focused on helping them achieve the best outcomes.
“Across Kirklees we are working hard to transform SEND services for the long-term benefit of thousands of families. I also want to thank the 14 primary schools who were trailblazers for PINS – they have truly made a difference.”
Melissa Watkin, Designated Clinical Officer for SEND from West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board in Kirklees, said:
“The PINS programme is not about getting a diagnosis, but about how we think differently about supporting children inside and outside school.
“It is also giving back parents a voice to have challenging conversations in a safe and supportive environment so they can better understand everyone’s role in supporting their child.”
The programme is funded by the Department for Education, supported by the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England.
The schools that participated were:
- Birstall Primary Academy
- Bywell Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School
- Christ Church Church of England Academy
- Diamond Wood Community Academy
- Field Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School
- Headlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior, Infant and Nursery School
- Hillside Primary School
- Holy Spirit Catholic Primary Academy
- Littletown Junior Infant and Nursery School
- Oak Church of England Primary School
- Orchard Primary Academy
- St John’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior and Infant School
- Upperthong Junior and Infant School
- Wellhouse Junior and Infant School