Specialist Teaching Team

The physical and health needs teaching provision is part of the City’s Specialist Teaching Team (STT). The STT provide high quality, personalised support and services to children and young people (CYP), their families and educational settings. We work in collaboration with other support services to enable CYP to achieve the best learning outcomes for a happy, fulfilling, purposeful, positive and independent adult life. The aim is always to make sure that children and young people aspire, achieve, feel valued and are happy. The government has issued guidance for arranging education for children and young people who cannot attend school because of health needs (.pdf).

You can also read York's policy. Any CYP who is away from school for more than 15 days, is entitled to some education provided by the local authority. We work in liaison with schools to provide work to ease the transition back to school. In addition, we work with many CYP who are working with CAMHS who, for a range of reasons, are currently not able to attend full time school.

What to expect

Schools make a referral to the team which is accompanied by a letter from health stating that CYP is unable to attend school.

An initial meeting is then arranged by school for parent carers with the staff in school who know you best and the STT. This meeting can be held at home or in school - we would love the CYP to attend the meeting but are aware this is sometimes challenging. A short and longer term plan is agreed at this meeting.

Usually we start with a couple of home visits to introduce the team and would then expect the CYP to attend our small group provision based at Clifton Library. Where there is a medical reason why this cannot happen or an increased mental health risk we can offer tuition in the home for a short period. When working in the home the parent or carer needs to be within eyeline and earshot of the sessions as part of our Lone Working policy. If a parent or carer is unable to be present we would need to cancel the visit. The period of home tuition works towards reintegration back into school, we may also provide tuition in a community venue or in a small room in school as part of this process. We hold regular reviews to evaluate progress towards a return to school.

When visiting schools, settings or homes, the team will always wear a City of York staff badge with photograph. All members of the STT have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and attend regular safeguarding training.

We regularly liaise with Health colleagues including CAMHS to discuss progress with both the reintegration plan to school and their therapy programmes. We also work closely with the Local Area Teams (Childrens Social Care Early Support Service) to ensure support for families where young people are unable to attend school

If you have any questions, contact the Interim Specialist Teaching Team Manager, Emma Parkin by email: [email protected].