Advocating For Your Child in School

FULL TRANSCRIPT School can evoke various emotions and memories for all of us. It's essential to recognize the associations we have with school and understand our role in advocating for our children. Despite the expertise of teachers and school staff in education, you are the true expert when it comes to your child. Top Tips for Advocating for Your Child Write Down Your Thoughts: Before approaching the school, articulate what you need and prioritize your concerns. Break it down into bullet points for clarity. Prioritize Issues: Focus on one main issue at a time to ensure effective communication. You can address other concerns later. Clearly Express Expectations: Clearly communicate what you expect from the school. Whether it's extra reading support, addressing bullying, or specific accommodations, make it known. Provide Evidence: Schools operate on evidence-based approaches. Back up your concerns with examples and evidence to facilitate understanding and action. Speak to Someone You Trust: Choose the right person to speak to, whether it's the form teacher, head of year, or another trusted figure in the school. Ask Questions Liberally: Don't hesitate to ask as many questions as needed. This ensures you have a comprehensive understanding of the situation and potential solutions. Show Emotion Respectfully: It's okay to show emotion, but maintain professionalism. Expressing your concerns emotionally can often create a stronger connection. Ask for Extra Help: Inquire about additional support services such as Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) training or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) assistance. Keep Speaking Up: Regularly communicate with the school, ask for accountability, and follow up on requested actions. Establish an ongoing dialogue. Advocating for Neurodiverse Children If you suspect your child may be neurodiverse, the approach is similar but with some nuanced differences. Contact the Teacher and SENCO: Initiate a conversation with the teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator to discuss your observations. Write Down Observations: Clearly articulate what you're seeing and experiencing. This provides a solid foundation for discussions and potential interventions. Gather Evidence: Encourage the school to observe your child's behavior and report back. Evidence is crucial, especially if you're considering an official assessment. SEN Pathway: Understand the Special Educational Needs (SEN) pathway at the school. This includes a banding document that outlines the support available. Pediatric Referral: If needed, the evidence gathered can contribute to a pediatric referral for an official diagnosis and further support. Unseen Support Staff: Explore the support of unseen heroes like family support workers and school nurses. They can provide valuable insights and assistance. Closing Thoughts You are the expert on your child. Reach out to the available experts in the school system to ensure your child receives the best support possible. Don't forget about the unsung heroes in the school, like family support workers and school nurses. Reach out if you need support or have questions. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your kid! Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Resilient Kid podcast. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to drop me a message at [email protected]. Take care, and remember, you're making a significant impact in your child's life by being their advocate. Social Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientkiduk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientkid/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/resilientkid/ Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/resilientacademy/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theresilientkid957 Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ashley-costello Website: https://www.theresilientacademy.co.uk/