Liaison RTLB

Policy

Liaison RTLB promote a visible and accessible, quality service and provide opportunities for formal and informal problem solving with designated schools. Liaison RTLB response to designated schools will be negotiated, agreed, needs based, align with cluster guidelines and the RTLB Toolkit (MOE, 2011)

Rationale

The Liaison RTLB represents Tai Tokerau RTLB in designated schools. The role has no hierarchical nature; rather it is a specialist role providing a conduit for information, a first point of contact for staff and an opportunity for schools to develop a positive, on-going sustainable relationship with the service.

Purpose

The purpose of the role is to:

1. promote a positive working relationship between the school and Tai Tokerau RTLB;

2. provide a formal communication process that includes updating any changes to RTLB systems, processes or practice in a timely and professional manner;

3. provide opportunities for informal and formal problem solving;

4. develop strong and sustainable relationships with SENCOs/key staff;

5. be a first point of contact for the school in the referral process;

6. filter requests for support;

7. support schools to develop systems and practices that:

• provide inclusive, responsive classroom environments

• enable teachers to meet the needs of diverse learners

• achieve positive, measurable outcomes for students with learning and behaviour difficulties

8. consistently emphasise and promote key factors and principles in effective RTLB practice:

• trusting relationships and shared understandings

• an ecological perspective

• collaborative relationships

• a strengths-based focus

• itinerating nature of the service

• shared understandings

• collaborative planning

• ecological, evidence based and inclusive perspectives

• culturally responsive practice

9. Clarify the Tai Tokerau RTLB model of practice (intervention sequence) with Liaison school staff.

Liaison RTLB:

• meet regularly with SENCO/other key staff;

• communicate updates and any changes to RTLB systems, processes or practice in a timely and professional manner;

• receive and complete the initial screening of referrals within the allocated schools;

• notify Intake and Review allocation;

• engage in collaborative dialogue and problem solving;

• promote a seamless continuum of flexible service for students in conjunction with Special Education;

• follow the EI transition to school protocol;

• keep a record of RTLB cases in the school;

• ensure the RTLB Liaison role is understood by school principal and staff;

• ensure an agreement is in place;

• maintain a Liaison meeting Log;

• develop sustainable relationships with key staff;

• develop and maintain professional, trusting, respectful relationships at all levels within the school;

• communicate with clarity and openness.

The RTLB Liaison role does not include:

• taking responsibility for the work of other cluster RTLB in the school;

• reporting to PL or CM on work of cluster RTLB;

• being a conduit for complaints about colleagues;

• directing other RTLB in their work in the school;

• providing a counseling, social work or truancy service;

• managing crisis/traumatic incidents;

• discussing or critiquing the cases/casework of other RTLB with school staff.

Procedural Guidelines

Liaison RTLB:

• meet with the school principal and key staff at the beginning of each year to clarify the RTLB Liaison role and negotiate an agreed working relationship specific to the school and in accordance with Cluster Liaison RTLB policy & protocols;

• complete a Partnership Agreement with the school principal annually;

• copy the agreement to the Cluster Manager;

• work as a Liaison RTLB in the designated school within the terms of the agreement;

• practice according to role specifications.