Service Areas
The ASN & Outreach Service is split into six areas. More information about each is available via the following links:
Our Approach
All areas of the service seek to work collaboratively, in partnership, with schools and early years' settings across Aberdeen City. Staff in our Hearing and Vision Support Teams regularly work with children and families from birth owing to their close partnership with health services, both local and further afield.
The ASN & Outreach Service approach is designed around the '5 Roles to Support Learners and Learning' with the primary aim of building capacity in schools and staff.
Each member of our Service balances their weekly contact time across the '5 Roles' in response to learners' and schools' needs, which are identified from Request for Assistance.
Increasing use of digital tools (such as Microsoft Teams, Seesaw and Google Suite for Education) is made to engage with learners, families, and practitioners. This approach has proved to be particularly powerful for undertaking consultation, liaising with multi-agency teams, and delivering certain aspects of professional learning.
Although not exhaustive, a broad overview of each 'Role' is provided below to exemplify the breadth of our Service's work/offer.
Consultancy
Advice and guidance about planning e.g. utilising an Individualised Education Programme (IEP), Pupil-Centred Risk Assessment (PCRA) etc.
Formal discussion and dialogue (following a Request for Assistance) about the needs of an individual learner.
Informal discussion and dialogue about adjustments to best-meet the needs of learners.
Recommendation of resources, sources of reliable information and/or learning and teaching approaches.
Review of the learning environment.
Support with the identification and assessment of learners' strengths and needs.
Support with specialist equipment and/or aids.
Transition advice and guidance.
Professional Learning
Each Team within the Service can offer a variety of professional learning. This can be learner specific (e.g. a staff input about an individual learner's audiological needs) or cover a broader area of personalised support (e.g. De-escalation, Deaf Awareness, Dyslexia Champions, Supporting EAL Learners in Upper Primary). Professional learning is available digitally (via this website) and in person. Please contact us if your setting/school/staff team/parent group has identified an area of professional learning so we can discuss your needs.
Direct & Cooperative Teaching
Where the assessment of need identifies a specific and targeted piece of work, our Service can:
Work cooperatively alongside another professional (e.g. Class/Subject Teacher, Support for Learning Teacher, Pupil Support Assistant, Health/Social Work colleague) to deliver an input whilst modelling best practice. Not only does this approach support the learner to achieve their target(s), but it also provides opportunities to share skills and expertise.
Work directly with a group of learners/individual learner. This may take place within the classroom, wider school setting, community, or further afield. The specific nature of the input and location will be identified through the Team Around the Child's assessment of need.
Direct and Cooperative Teaching interventions are always linked to a plan and (an) identified target(s). This ensures any intervention is reviewed regularly in the context of the learner's progress, achievement, and plan.
Multi-agency Working
Input into the creation/update of a Child's Plan and/or Coordinated Support Plan (CSP).
Input into a multi-agency meeting (either through direct attendance or by providing an update in advance).
Participation in multi-agency professional learning.
Providing advice and guidance to multi-agency partners (such as Health, Police Scotland, Scottish Children's Reporter Administration, Social Work etc.).
Supporting the capture of learner and/or family voice.