Support for Schools

Early support, advice and reasonable adjustment

We work with schools, parents and other professionals. We recognise that early intervention, a pragmatic framework of support, progress review and monitoring, and using a joined up approach provides the very best opportunity for our young people to flourish and grow a “tool kit” of skills and independent strategies.

We provide support to schools by assisting in the early identification of needs, providing a framework of intervention alongside staff, which enables an effective collection of evidence against specific progress targets as part of the Assess, Plan, Do, Review process. If required, we can assist in the development of such targets, the review of the same or provide guidance on how to augment school support plans towards an application for EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) assessment.

We can provide pragmatic support for schools, including not least, staff training, individual pupil or group intervention,  development of pupil support plans, attendance and input into the EHCP annual review process, assessment and diagnostic tools leading to potential diagnosis. We are here to support schools in the development of support frameworks which capture both reasonable adjustments and enhanced support where needed. Our aim is to enable schools to maximise their resources which can be delivered in a resource efficient and pragmatic manner; removing barriers to learning and improving pupil outcomes.

We provide a ten-week intervention in school to support APDR. This can substantiate any evidence for the next step in an EHCP application.

Comprehensive assessment

At the Roundway Centre, our professionals offer a complete service for parents, young people, schools, colleges, and Local Authorities, from full diagnostic assessment to family therapy, individual young person support, training and school support, guidance, and Local Authority liaison and if required parent support through the EHCP process, including tribunals.

We aim to provide robust and comprehensive diagnostic assessments which not only provide clear diagnostic details, but moreover highlight comprehensive recommendations for the young person, for their educational setting, home life and parenting. The aim is to provide guidance for the young person, parents and the educational settings to foster the development of skills and strategies leading towards a “tool kit” for life to progress and improve home and school life.

We follow NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and national guidelines with a reputational value with education and Local Authorities. Below are just some of the ways the practical help we provide has a positive and far-reaching impact.

Intervention

We provide a range of evidence-based intervention and support strategies determined by the child’s individual profile. We support schools in implementing the support; many strategies can be embedded in the school day or teaching style. We break down and guide the strategies and interventions contained in the report to ensure the best possible outcomes for each individual and build confidence in teaching staff and schools.

Please see our dedicated Support for Schools page for further information.

Therapy

The therapist helps children and young people with a range of social-emotional, communication, interaction, and learning needs. Individual goals are identified in close collaboration with parents and teachers in the therapy sessions. The therapy is available for children and young people in primary or secondary schools, colleges, universities, and higher education. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to email us at office@roundwaycentre.org.uk.

Younger Children (under 6 years)

For younger children, therapy works with parents, teachers, or carers, supporting their adapted interaction (e.g. PACT) or helping the nursery or school make adjustments and implement strategies.

Older Children (over 6 years)

For other young people, whether it is school-based anxiety, demand avoidance, or worries about making friends and feeling accepted, the therapist can help them gain insight and discover their inner resilience through therapy, counselling, and support strategies. Social-emotional issues can affect concentration, sleep, enthusiasm, self-respect, the will to change, and the ability to function daily.

We use methods, including art, observation, and sensitive listening to the young person. When young people feel comfortable without the demand to talk, they typically gain trust and interact more freely with the therapist.

We address the root cause of the concerns by carefully listening to the young person’s priorities, perceptions, and aspirations, guiding them through a journey of self-discovery, respect, and understanding to realise their potential. Parents and teachers provide invaluable support that enables the person to confidently use strategies in everyday situations.

PACT

Accessible autism communication training for primary schools

Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is a scientifically-evidenced early intervention for neurodivergent and autistic children, proven to progress child communication and social engagement sustained long-term into middle childhood.

PACT supports neurodiverse-accepting interaction and relationships by helping autistic children to communicate and be accepted, understood and celebrated for who they are, and advocate for themselves.

An eLearning programme introduces some of the techniques and research behind the evidence-based supported PACT Clinical intervention, putting it in a school-based context for educators in nursery, primary and other school or childcare settings.

Our team of experts provide PACT therapy in schools and supports EYFS, Early Years Foundation Skills, setting individual goals and measurable outcomes contributing to ADPR and EHCPs. Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is a theory-based, adult-mediated and video-aided intervention designed to improve social communication in children ages 2-11.

PACT in an EYFS context

The Early Years Foundation Skills framework is taught from Birth to 5 years old in nurseries and schools, mainly through games and play. Many of the areas of learning in EYFS fit perfectly within the context of the PACT stages, making it a seamless integration.

These include:

• communication and language
• personal, social and emotional development
• physical development
• understanding the world
• expressive arts and design

PACT & national strategy

PACT directly correlates to 4/6 of the themes listed in the national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026:

• improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society
• improving autistic children and young people’s access to education, and supporting positive transitions into adulthood
• tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people
• building the right support in the community and supporting people in inpatient care

PACT will help you to

• Target social communication and language, which in turn can lead to development of a child’s social and school happiness.
• Support adults working in partnership with children and parents, using their knowledge of the child and child’s setting.
• Empower adults to recognise and enhance the key skills proven to lead to better social communication outcomes in autistic children.
• Support the developmental language pathways leading to language improvement.
• Focus on key takeaways such as brief moments of communication between the educator and child.
• Support the preparation of specific intervention plans for each child related to their individual development.‍

For parent, carer and teacher information on PACT, please see PACT Parents Flyer (PDF). For professional information on how to train to become a certified PACT practitioner, please click here.