Meeting the Needs of Young Children in Bridgend
Between the ages of 3 and 5, most children experience rapid physical, emotional, intellectual and social growth. The provision of appropriate pre-school learning and teaching experiences for young children allows a flexible response to the particular needs of each child, which enhances their pre-school learning opportunities.
The early identification and action for a young child with additional needs enables the early education practitioner to facilitate the child’s needs through a diverse and stimulating learning environment. Bridgend recognise that high quality early years provision includes effective intervention approaches for children with special educational needs and is working to develop good practice in this crucial period of a child’s development.
The role of the Educational Psychology Service
The aim of the Educational Psychology Service is to promote the positive development of children, young people, families and organisations through the application of psychology. The service utilises a broad range of psychological skills and interventions to help meet individual needs. The Early Years Psychology Team consists of 3 part-time senior Educational Psychologists.
The role of Portage Advisors
Portage is a pre-school home visiting service for children with a delay in development, including those with complex learning difficulties. Portage advisors work alongside parents to plan and advise on structured activities designed to enhance the child’s development. The parents are then asked to carry out the activities on a daily basis at home between visits. The child’s progress is discussed and monitored by the Portage Advisor. There are 1 full-time and 3 part-time Portage Advisors.
The Portage Service is managed by the Bro Morgannwg Health Trust and supervised by the Educational Psychology Service.
The Role of Advisory Teachers
A team of Advisory Teachers aim to ensure that all children and young people identified as having special educational needs within the county borough have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, the early years environment and all relevant information. The Advisory Teachers will support providers in partnership with families and other agencies, in achieving this aim within each child’s local setting wherever practicable.
This service directly manages or supports schools in making provision for the following range of needs:
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Communication and interaction disorders
- Motor/physical disabilities
- Specific learning difficulties
- General learning difficulties
- English as an additional language
If you have a concern you can contact the Advisory Service through the Early Years Panel.
Early Years Panel
Who are we?
The Early Years Panel was set up in 2006. The panel is represented by:
- Early Years Educational Psychologists
- The Early Years Advisory teachers and specialist teachers
- Outreach teacher from Heronsbridge Special School
- Health Visitors
- Portage Service
Our Aims
- to support Bridgend County Borough Early Years Providers in the inclusion of all children.
- to ensure early identification of children with additional needs.
- to ensure early intervention is provided.
- to develop liaison between agencies working with pre-school children.
How the Panel works
- the panel meets on a monthly basis.
- the panel receives referrals from agencies and settings for a range of services including advice, resources, risk assessment, support within a setting, planning meetings and home visits.
Regular Reviews for progress of children known to the group
The Panel reviews children’s progress identified at early years action plus supports the transition process for children as they enter school and passes on appropriate information.
Accessing the Panel
Referral forms can be completed by professionals from Health and Education and Early Years settings and must include written parental consent.
Forms are available in settings from Health Visitors, Portage Advisors and from Tŷ Morfa. They can also be obtained from the Early Years section of the downloads page.
All children at Early Years Action receiving one-to-one support are reviewed regularly by the panel. When a child is due for review the Early Years Panel will request up-to-date information for the child. The form will be returned to you with relevant information after the panel meeting. A review form can be found on the Early Years section of the downloads page.
Completed forms are returned to:
Access & Inclusion / Education Psychology Service
Bridgend County Borough Council
Tŷ Morfa
Hafan Deg
Aberkenfig
Bridgend
CF32 9AW
Tel: 01656 729 319 or 720 201
Fax: 01656 725 806 |
