Before our partnership started over 10 years ago, the children who needed therapy were referred externally and often it meant (with travel time) they were out of school for up to 2-3 hours per week. Now, with our therapists, Ione and Sandra, on-site it means that the children only miss one lesson.

Whitmore have recently increased their Connect-Ed days from 3 to 5 days per week.

Having someone in school every day is beneficial as they’re now able to help many more children and have greater insight into the school life of the child. Ione and Sandra have become a part of the Whitmore team, it means that they’re able to liaise directly with other members of staff – allowing there to be a true team around the child.

As an enhancement of the safeguarding team, Ione and Sandra work in partnership with Whitmore, offering extra support advising and signposting, rather than being just another service partner. On a Friday, Sandra offers reflective practice sessions for the learning mentors.

This allows the staff to reflect on their cases and gives them a sounding board as safeguarding is a tough part of the job.

Ione and Sandra also have great interactions with caregivers. They’re able to share great resources with them as well. In fact, the parents and carers see them as part of the school and are much more receptive than they have been with other services. There’s a strong feeling that they’re invested, and they care. For example, with some of the children who self-harm, they have created safety plans and signposted them to other services for support.

With great flexibility of either talking therapy or creative therapy, it means Whitmore, in consultation with Connect-Ed, are able to match the therapy to the needs of the individual child/young person.

If you think the children or young people in your school could benefit from Connect-Ed’s support, please contact us to discuss how we can help.