T: 0151 477 8450
E: knowsleycentral@knowsley.gov.uk

Learning Support Team

Welcome to Learning Support at Knowsley Central

Who we are:

The Learning Support Team consists of three Specialist Teachers who have a range of qualifications and extensive experience working with children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

Along with teaching qualifications and QTS, our additional qualifications include Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas in Specific Learning Difficulties, Special Needs and Inclusion, National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators, Elklan Speech and Language Support, Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) and Assessment Practising Certificates (APC).

How We Support Local Schools

Our team works with children and young people aged 3 to 11, and staff including; senior leadership teams, SENCOs, teachers, teaching assistants, learning mentors and school support workers.
We offer learning assessments and advice, specialist teaching, observations and support for children and young people with SEND.

Specific support in schools:
• SEND screening assessments, identifying strengths and difficulties in aspects of cognitive skills such as verbal/visual, phonological awareness, processing, memory.
• Full diagnostic dyslexia assessments
• Language screening assessments
• Literacy and numeracy skills assessments
• Individual observations and feedback, e.g. learning behaviour, attention and concentration etc.
• 1:1 / small group interventions, e.g. for literacy, numeracy, language skills
• Observations of learning environments, classroom practice, learning walks
• Modelling approaches for staff, e.g. multisensory teaching, use of visuals, task planners etc.
• Modelling how group sessions may be run e.g. language groups, literacy groups
• Help to establish intervention groups e.g. baseline assessments, training of staff, modelling intervention, monitoring delivery, reviewing progress
• Screening of small groups as part of Assess> Plan >Do > Review cycle
• Training – a range of courses tailor-made for schools
• Consultation sessions with parents
• SENCO support; to strategically implement SEND changes – reviewing with staff, pupils, parents/carers, the SEN Information report, SEND policy, local offer etc.
• Advice and support for further referrals and applications, e.g. EHCP, ASC/ADHD pathways etc.
• Consultation with staff to include verbal feedback and notes of the meeting
• Termly planning and review meetings so that the most appropriate support can be matched to the needs of the child
• End of Year reports, praised by Ofsted, to outline the support given to schools and the progress of SEND children

Consultancy & CPD

Opportunities

We provide a wide variety of courses and CPD to increase staff knowledge about SEND and support settings in encouraging and improving learning behaviour and raising attainment.

We aim to work in partnership with children, school staff, parents/carers and other professionals to encourage positive learning communities which meet each child’s needs. This will be achieved through a child-centred approach based on collaborative partnership with stakeholders.

We also work closely with other agencies in the local authority, e.g. Educational Psychologist Service, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, SENDIASS, Community Paediatrics and many more.

We have excellent relationships with our schools and know them and the strengths of the people in them well. We have a long standing commitment to improving the outcomes for all children and young people within Knowsley. Building on our years of strong partnership working, we are able to establish, lead, support and manage effective local networks.

 

Resources – Dyslexia

Information Booklets

Resources – General

Useful Links

Dyslexia Resources

Dyslexia Explained

Nessy Ebook