Support Services
The Outreach Service is a freely available service to support
schools and parents of children with physical disabilities. We offer on site
visits, assessments, equipment loans, staff training, short and long
term classroom support and advice on a range of disability related issues
across Primary and Secondary phases.
Issues may include:
Physical access
This includes difficulties with access to school buildings, classrooms, changing rooms, swimming pools, specialist laboratories, sports areas, drama studios etc. Co-ordinated advice can be given in liaison with Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services.
Curriculum access
All subjects are catered for, especially those that are practically based (e.g. PE, ICT, Art, Technology, Textiles). Pupil shadowing, classroom support, equipment loans, alternative and differentiated activities, staff training, Entry level courses, Exam access arrangements and GCSE PE assessment can all be supported.
Moving and Handling
On site assessments can be undertaken on specific issues with individual pupils or more general issues that affect groups of pupils or staff. Hoisting or lifting, transfers to and from wheelchairs, using the stairs can all be addressed. Risk Assessments can be carried out or supported (Accredited Centaur Manual Handling courses can also be run for support staff by Penn Hall Key Trainers).
Adapted equipment
Penn Hall has a wide range of adapted equipment that can be viewed in action (e.g. adjustable height tables) or even loaned in the short term. Information, prices and general advice based on experience can also be given.
Communication Aids
Penn Hall staff with experience of Access and Communication issues, alongside Speech and Language specialists can offer advice and support for pupils who have communication difficulties. Several staff are members of Wolverhampton’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) working group.
Transition from Primary to Secondary
The Outreach Service is keen to support the smooth transition of pupils to Secondary education. We can support or shadow pupils on ‘taster days’ to identify problems and barriers at a very early stage. In liaison with other support services we can anticipate potential problems and suggest solutions.
Bathroom/toileting/care
Staff have a broad range of experience and expertise in this area and can often offer practical solutions to problems arising around the intimate care of disabled pupils.
Transport
We have well established links with Community Transport and Ring and Ride. We also have a vast range of experience that can be drawn upon in using wheelchair accessible vehicles.
ICT/Recording
An increasing number of pupils have difficulties with recording their work (due to dyspraxia, dyslexia, problems with fine motor control, etc). We can provide demonstrations, short term loans, staff training and assessment with Alphasmart’s DANA and NEO portable note takers as well as a range of adapted ICT equipment suitable for all ages.
Disability Sports provision (locally & nationally)
As a school with a strong sporting tradition, we have a broad range of experience and can assist with classification and provide routes to both recreational and competitive activities. We also have an Outreach Sports Club, which provides after school disability sports activities for mainstream pupils.
Disability Awareness Workshop
We can provide presentations and woorkshops to class or year groups to foster understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities. These have proved very successful and have a positive effect in creating an inclusive environment.
Coffee Mornings
Outreach parents are invited to Penn Hall coffee mornings to network and gain access to information and resources.
Any Inclusion issue/concern
We would be happy to discuss any inclusion related issue or concern and can respond promptly to most referrals. Attendance at Annual Reviews, following support, can also be arranged
The Outreach Service enjoys well established relationships with other agencies
(Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy)
and can provide co-ordinated, effective and sustainable support.