Little Oaks Learning Centre

GENERAL INFORMATION

Little Oaks Support Service was set up by the

Western Education & Library Board for children in mainstream Primary Schools to help support their social, emotional and behavioural development.The service has since evolved into a Nurture Centre which is based at Belmont House School.

Children in need of support are referred through the Board’s Educational Psychology Service.

Support for pupils is always seen as a joint venture between ourselves and the child’s mainstream school and we may work with children on an outreach basis in school, or offer the pupil a place in our Nurture Centre for a period of time if it is likely they will need this opportunity in order to be more successful in school.

 Any decisions on Nurture Group placement is always made in full consultation with the child’s parents and school, and all support begins on an outreach basis initially.

Our aim is simply to promote the nurturing care essential for healthy growth and development in all children. We do this by offering a curriculum that embeds the six principles of Nurture Group philosophy into all aspects of the work we do.

These principles are:

Children’s learning is understood developmentally

The classroom offers a safe base

The importance of nurture for the development of self-esteem

Language as a vital means of communication

All behaviour is communication

The importance of transition in children’s lives

MENU OF SERVICE SUPPORT

Staff from Little Oaks may support the Social, Emotional and Behavioural development of the referred pupil by offering :-

Advice

Individual pupil support

Group support

Whole class support

School staff support

Parental support

They will also liaise closely with parents, mainstream school staff and any other agencies or professionals involved with the child.

NATURE OF SERVICE SUPPORT

Little Oaks staff are available to: -

Observe and record behaviours in different contexts.

Obtain a profile of a child using a wide range of formal and informal materials and tests.

Draw up, agree, implement and monitor individual or whole class management programmes / plans.

Jointly devise Individual Education Plan’s and Individual Learning Plans for children.

Advise on sensitive differentiation of the curriculum.

Evaluate the effectiveness of programmes and  strategies.

Disseminate training received and information to mainstream school staff

Meet with and involve parents in a positive way.

Advise on resources / training

Attend reviews, strategy meetings, MAST meetings and case conferences.

Liaise with other services and professionals involved with the child and their family

                        THE STAFF