1. Creating strong links between schools and SEN professionals in multi-agency teamsBy
Gareth D Morewood
Director of Curriculum Support
Priestnall School, Stockport
14th September 2010

2. What is going to happen?
Give you a context where positive multi-agency working has recorded some success
Highlight some of the barriers that need to be challenged
Offer some ideas on how to develop further effective partnerships

3. Background My own journey My current context Ranges of needs
Structure of Curriculum Support
Provision & Access Map
Supporting students in mainstream schools – working in partnership

4. Distributing leadership and responsibility...
Strand Manager positions
Strength in-depth
Creating strong and sustainable links
Providing pro-active support as part of a whole-school response
Ensuring corporate responsibility

5. Does Every Child Matter?
Being Healthy
Staying Safe
Enjoying and Achieving
Making a Positive Contribution
Economic Wellbeing

6. Evidence from where… Success of the young people Parent/carer feedback
Student’s own views and thoughts
Views of other professionals
OFSTED
SEF and own monitoring and evaluation

7. Why work in partnership?
There are many well documented reports on outcomes of partnerships and collaborations in supporting vulnerable young people.
Think about your setting – why does a partnership give you higher chances of positive outcomes?

8. What are the reasons for working together
What are the reasons for working together? Why do we need to work together?
Often a lack of information sharing across agencies and services
Duplicated assessments to identify needs and subsequent provision
Poorly co-ordinated integrated activities across agencies
Too much ‘buck passing’ and referring on of clients between agencies
Lack of continuity and inconsistent levels of service provision
Unclear accountability
Rita Cheminais, 2009

9. There are now requirements...
The Children Act (2004) requires Local Authorities (LAs) to:
identify the needs, circumstances and aspirations of children and young people,
agree the contribution each agency will make to meeting the Every Child Matters outcomes,
improve information sharing between agencies,
oversee arrangements for agencies to work collaboratively in the commissioning, delivery and integration of services.

10. So, where to start?
What are the six most important aspects of working in partnership?
Look at the 12 statements.
Choose 9.
Prioritise in the ‘diamond nine’ template.
Then choose the ‘top 6’...what are they?
Rita Cheminais, 2009

11. STATEMENTS – choose 9, and prioritise....
A. Taking part in joint activities and projects B. Views being listened to by others C. Able to effect change D. Knowing contributions are valued E. Sharing decision-making F. Finding solutions to problems in partnership with others G. Being respected by other practitioners H. Sharing ideas, knowledge and expertise with other practitioners I. Participating in regular inter-professional training J. Understanding different practitioners roles and responsibilities K. Having an agreed vision, aims and objectives L. Helping to remove children and young people’s barriers to learning

12. Prioritising...

13. Team Around the Child... The function of the TAC includes:
reviewing and agreeing information shared through CAF
planning and agreeing actions with timescales
identifying solutions, allocating tasks and appropriate resources
agreeing the Lead Professional
monitoring and reviewing outcomes with timescales
reporting, as required, to other review meetings or resource panels
identifying gaps and informing planning and commissioning

14. Underlying Principles of the Team Around the Child Process and Meetings
The child’s needs must come first;
The family should always be present at a Team Around the Child Meeting;
Meetings follow the same format;
Proformas are provided so plans are clear, understandable and provide consistency;
The child’s welfare is everyone’s responsibility;
All organisations must work together;
The parents’ or carers’ rights must be considered.

15. Help? Some useful documents...
Parents guide -
Stockport Common Processes Website –

16. Stockport Common Processes Leaflet
DCSF – CAF web pages

19. Away from process and TAC/CIN...how about the reality?
Back to our 6 most important benefits of multi-agency working.
Do they reflect the ECM agenda?
Should they?

20. Be healthy physically healthy mentally and emotionally healthy
sexually healthy
healthy lifestyles
choose not to take illegal drugs

21. Stay safe
safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation
safe from accidental injury and death
safe from bullying and discrimination
safe from crime and anti-social behaviour in and out of school
have security, stability and are cared for

22. Enjoy and achieve ready for school
achieve personal and social development
attend and enjoy school
achieve stretching national educational standards at primary school enjoy recreation
achieve stretching national educational standards at secondary school

23. Make a positive contribution
engage in decision-making and support the community and environment
develop positive relationships and choose not to bully and discriminate
engage in law-abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school
develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges
develop enterprising behaviour

24. Achieve economic well-being
engage in further education, employment or training
access to transport and material goods on leaving school
live in households free from low income
ready for employment
live in decent homes and sustainable communities

25. CASE STUDY – Lewis P

27. It is important to evaluate and reflect...
It is important to evaluate the impact of any partnership.
Safeguarding vulnerable young people needs to be the main priority.
Fight for better outcomes, if necessary.

28. Reflecting – building capacity...
Gibbs' model of reflection (1988)

29. So back to Lewis – time to reflect ... your thoughts?

30. So what makes good practice?
Where are strengths?
How can we ensure good working relationships?
How can you establish/strengthen your partnerships?
Analyse yourself...

31. And finally....
Working with different agencies can and should provide the best way forward for some of our most vulnerable young people. Unfortunately it is sometimes the SENCo, or other educational staff who have to take the lead to get things moving. Being knowledgeable and empowered is our greatest asset. Being able to advocate strongly and support in an uncompromising manner is our greatest ally.

33. Thanks for listening...and Good Luck!
Gareth D Morewood
Director of Curriculum Support [SENCo]
Priestnall School
Stockport