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People Who May Be Helpful To You
The school staff have access to the advisory support of a number of specialists. These people are able to provide helpful advice and practical support for parents too. All of them are regular visitors to the school and all of them can be contacted through the school (Tel: 01724 844560). This leaflet describes their typical role and gives the name of a contact person.
Support Teacher/ Educational Service for the Visually Impaired - Linda Tackie
If you have concerns about your child's vision you should consult your GP to arrange an assessment in the first instance. However, Linda Tackie can provide advice about the educational implications of your child's visual impairments when these have been diagnosed. She does not usually become involved if your child's visual problems are corrected simply through wearing spectacles since appropriate advice can be given by an optician. She does provide advice about the use of specialist teaching techniques, activities for developing mobility, tactile communication systems and appropriate ways of organising your child's environment.
Hearing Impaired Service – Area Teacher – Clare Boddy
Regular clinics are held at the school where your child’s hearing can be tested. If you have hearing related concerns, please let your class teacher know and your child can be seen on one of these visits.
If there is a permanent, significant hearing loss, you will be given advice and support by a member of the team. When a hearing aid is prescribed, your child and staff in the school will receive regular visits to monitor its use. Information is also available about a local support group.
Speech and Language Therapists - Jo Lawson, Emma Carter
Jo and Emma have special training in the communication and language development and the development of feeding skills of children and children with learning difficulties. They are able to provide you with information about your own child's needs and the activities which are appropriate at home and at school. They also organise training for groups of parents.
Wheelchair Service – Margaret Dyke
The Wheelchair Service provides both manual and powered wheelchairs, and special seating to children and adults within the North Lincolnshire area. The service has an agreement with an independent company who undertake repairs free of charge to the user.
Margaret Dyke is the occupational therapist within the service. She will work with you, your child’s therapists and others to assess which wheelchair of associated equipment best suits your child’s needs.
Physiotherapist – Karen Mayes
As a physiotherapist, Karen has a detailed knowledge of normal and abnormal movement and an understanding of how conditions specific to children may affect each child’s movement and development. She uses this knowledge to teach the child, the parents and other carers how to develop the child’s movement skills. This can involve passive and active exercises and positioning techniques. When appropriate, she will liaise with the occupational therapist and the Wheelchair Service to provide 24-hour postural management. She will advise on standing frames, walking aids, splints and footwear.
A specialist orthotist does a joint clinic with Karen to assess and advise on footwear and splintage.
Occupational Therapists – Fiona Hawkridge, Jagpreet Singh
The occupational therapist is able to advise on the development of your child's arm/hand function and self help skills. She takes into account your child's age and learning or physical difficulties and your family life style. She will be able to advise on how best to seat your child or how to help in caring for your child. If you are experiencing difficulties at home with, for example, lifting and handling or bathing, a home visit can be made to advise on special equipment, adaptations or alterations to your home. If your child is in need of a wheelchair or a buggy, she will be able to advise you on what is available. When appropriate, she will liaise with the physiotherapist and Wheelchair Services to provide 24-hour postural management. She will liaise with other agencies on the provision and the funding of such equipment.
NCH Kaleidoscope – Pat Chennells
Kaleidoscope is a purpose-built resource centre located on Dunstall Street, Scunthorpe that offers support to children with disabilities or special needs, and their families. The staff provide a friendly, listening ear with space to relax and meet other parents. They can also offer a welfare benefits advice and assistance in respect of claiming and completing forms for Housing benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, DSS Benefits, Health Benefits, etc. In addition, Kaleidoscope has a resource library (with Internet access), a family room, a playroom and a toy library. There are several parents’ support groups and siblings’ groups use Kaleidoscope. Your child does not have to be referred by any other agency or doctor; you can just pop in for a chat or make an appointment for a welfare benefits check. Coffee mornings are held regularly. If you contact Kaleidoscope and register with them, you will receive a Newsletter which will keep you up to date with services and groups as they may change dependent on need. (Tel: 01724 277766)
Paediatric Nurse – Jackie Pashley
Jackie Pashley is a trained paediatric nurse. She is able to provide advice and treatment or access these from other specialist nurses with regard to a range of clinical conditions (including epilepsy, asthma, diabetes) and administering medicines. Jackie and colleagues provide refsher training for the staff on children’s medical needs and on basic life support for children in an emergency. Jackie is assisted by Sam Perason, an advanced healthcare assistant, who also deputises for Jackie when she is not in school.
Learning Disability Nurse - Angela Bowden
Angela Dickinson is a specialist in the health needs that result from a child's learning disability. She is able to provide advice with regard to a range of problems, including incontinence, behavioural problems autism and sleep problems. Messages can be passed on to her and the rest of the team via letters or home-school books.
Medical Consultants – Dr. Gondwe
This doctor is a Consultant Paediatrician based at Scunthorpe General Hospital. He is a specialist in children's health and medical needs. He visits the school regularly to assess children’s health and needs and determine whether there is need for any changes in their provision. He can also answer any queries that you may have about your child's health or medical condition. He is in close contact with a range of specialist health service professionals and agencies and can coordinate input from local hospital and community health services.
Parent Partnership Officer – Val Purves
Val Purves is employed by North Lincolnshire Council under a scheme sponsored by the Government. Val has a specific interest in special education and a commitment to developing effective and meaningful partnerships between parents, voluntary groups, support groups, schools and education, health and social services agencies. She is able to provide information and independent advice for parents about available services. She also acts as an advocate for parents, if necessary, in their dealings with education officers and other professionals and organisations. (Tel: 01724 277665)
Provision for Children with Autism – Chris Cooper
Chris is an assistant head at the school and has a special responsibility for the provision for all pupils in the school with autistic spectrum disorders. Chris has trained as a teacher of children with autism. She may be able to give you advice about the implications of your child's diagnosis. She is also able to give advice about the management of behaviour problems. She can provide you with information about a local support group for parents of children with autism. She is in close contact with other professionals and agencies specialising in autism locally who may be of assistance to you.
Provision for Children with Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities and Medical Needs – Rosie Brister
Rosie Brister is a teacher at the school who has a special responsibility for the provision for all pupils in the school who have additional physical, sensory or other problems. She is also teacher to a class of children with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Rosie, along with other staff in the school, has trained as an instructor in MOVE, a specialist programme for teaching mobility. As such, she is able to provide you with a great deal of information. She is in close contact with other professionals and agencies who may be of assistance to you. In particular she liaises closely with the physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the teacher of the visually impaired.
Other Professionals and Agencies
There are a number of other specialist professionals, agencies or parent support groups, not mentioned above, who may be usefully involved depending upon the needs of your child. Further details can be obtained from the Headteacher of St. Luke's Primary School. (Tel: 01724 844560).
If you have any need for confidential advice or support, do not hesitate to contact the head teacher or your child's teacher.
This document will be regularly reviewed and revised for accuracy. All information is believed to be correct at the time of writing.
(September 2012)