Twitter

Therapy Information.

The Therapy team is seen very much as an integral part of Pebble Brook School, supporting the vast range of needs of the students. The team comprises of one qualified Speech and Language Therapist two days a week, one full-time Speech and Language Therapy Co-Worker, one qualified Occupational Therapist working one day a week and one full-time Occupational Therapy Co-Worker.

Speech and Language Therapy

The purpose of speech and language therapy is to develop the speech, language and social communication skills of students.

This includes: supporting their understanding (comprehension) of language; developing their attention and listening skills; teaching students to use spoken and/or signed language; developing understanding of and use of vocabulary; developing use of grammar; developing speech skills; teaching alternative means of communication; supporting students who stammer or who have selective mutism; helping students to express opinions and make choices; and supporting their emotional and social skills development.

The SALT teamwork in a variety of ways determined by the needs of each individual student. This may include:

  • Individual speech and language therapy, paired work or small group work outside the classroom
  • Leading class groups to learn social, emotional and relationship skills
  • Support of the teacher in classroom lessons to facilitate students’ access to the curriculum including preparation for accreditations
Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy team is seen very much as an integral part of Pebble Brook School, supporting the individual needs of the students. The purpose of occupational therapy is to develop the functional independence of students and to assist in regulating their sensory environment.

This includes: working on gross motor skills for the general development of core strength and shoulder stability; working on fine motor skills to improve handwriting and independence skills; to explore a sensory environment to improve sensory discrimination; to improve general motor planning and co-ordination; to provide groups with calming strategies/movements for self-regulation; to promote social interactions with peers and team working skills; and improving skills in praising others and self within groups.

The OT teamwork in a variety of ways determined by the needs of each individual student. This is mapped under a universal, targeted and specific framework (UTS).

This may include:

  • Individual occupational therapy paired work or small group work outside the classroom
  • Leading class groups in movement, fine and gross motor skills and sensory activities
  • Advice and resources to teachers for lessons to facilitate students’ access to the curriculum including preparation for accreditations
Behaviour Support

The Behaviour Support team consists of a CAMHS nurse as lead and two behaviour support workers, all full time.

Their role is supporting the behavioural and emotional welfare of students within the school.  In order for students within Pebble Brook School to achieve and progress, it is important that they feel safe and secure within the school environment.

Positive and proactive management of students’ behaviour is an essential requirement for this and we recognise that behaviour is a form of communication that needs to be heard and understood.  Our focus is to help the students to understand and take responsibility for their behaviour and using a therapeutic approach learn to manage it more effectively.  Whilst teaching and classroom staff are responsible for the daily management of students and their behaviours, the Behaviour Support team oversee the behaviour management process within the school, ensuring that policy and procedure is followed, and offering additional guidance and expertise when students’ behaviour starts to interrupt the productive learning environment.

The team monitor behaviour incidents though Behaviour Watch and hold discussions with school staff to identify pupils who may need additional support and detect behaviour trends.   The role of the team is to work with, support and empower the class teachers to manage the behaviour of pupils within their class, not to impose, instructor to take over responsibility.

The Behaviour Support team works in a variety of ways to support individuals, including the following:

  • Individual and group mentoring
  • Social skills and resilience groups
  • Team building
  • Classroom support