The Government has launched a new ambitious programme that is set to introduce specialised therapeutic services into schools.

 

The joint initiative between the Department of Education and the Health Service Executive is entering stage one of the project.

 

Phase-one of the pilot programme will mean 150 schools and pre-schools will have access to speech and language and occupational therapy services within their own schools.

 

The first of its kind, the project has received €2.25 million in funding and has employed 19 speech and language therapists and 12 occupational therapists, each professional will support a cluster of schools.

 

 

The scheme will evaluate the benefits of having early intervention and specialised therapeutic integrated into the education system, rather than the sessions taking place in an outside setting, separate from the school.

 

“This model will bring together therapists and educational professionals who have until now often operated separately,” said Minister for Education Richard.

 

“It will allow them to work together to plan, collaborate, and share their professional knowledge and expertise. The project will allow therapists to use their time more efficiently to support greater numbers of pupils in school environments, where there are often large concentrations of need.”

 

 

The phases of the trial project will begin in the 2018-2019 school year cycle and will be rolled out in HSE Community Healthcare Organisation Region seven which includes areas such as West Dublin, Kildare, and West Wicklow.

 

Schools within the catchment will be invited to get involved on a voluntary basis.

 

The department said the region was selected because it will allow the project to be tested in urban and rural schools.

 

The area also allows the project to be trialled in a variety of schools which represents the entire education system, from educationally disadvantaged schools to those with significant therapy support needs, according to the department.

 

 

The National Council for Special Education will be coordinating and managing the pilot scheme.

 

The main aim of the project is to establish links and collaborative systems between the experts, parents, teachers and other school staff.

 

Training and guidance in the area of therapy and developmental needs will be provided, parental involvement in their children’s speech and language development will also be another crucial element to the programme.

 

 

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said:

 

“The project will test a practical and innovative approach to ensuring that both universal and targeted therapeutic supports are available in children’s early years”.

 

The scheme will be under evaluation at the end of the school year, with the potential for it to be rolled-out nationwide.

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