We offer tailored School Age Support as part of our Inclusion and Intervention Team Service
Children and young people (5 to 19 years)
- From Years 1 to 13
- 16 to 19-year-olds can request advice and signposting for themselves
Parents and carers
- Advice and guidance provided from our Family Hubs by the team
- Bookable drop-in sessions in community locations
- Training to mirror school approaches
Educational settings
- Linked school approach – every school will have a linked practitioner to support them
- Modelling inclusive practice and interventions
- Providing training
- Moving Forward Meetings
Eligibility
There is no eligibility criteria - we are working with a linked school model. Each mainstream school in West Northants has been allocated a linked school worker from IIST.
If you are unsure who your worker is, please email [email protected] to enquire.
Linked school model
Process overview
Each half term, schools may use a shared link to request reviews for up to four priority children. All requests are screened by the IIST leadership team to determine suitability.
To support effective scheduling and reduce travel time and costs, please submit your requests as a single block of four.
If your request is accepted, your linked worker will contact you within one working week to arrange a visit, during which they will complete observations and hold feedback meetings.
If your request is not accepted, you will receive an email from the IIST inbox explaining the reason. The linked practitioner will be copied into the message, and you may be offered signposting to alternative appropriate services.
We continue to operate within the Graduated Approach. You must submit documented evidence alongside the request form. Requests without evidence will not be screened.
Request and screening timelines
Based on feedback from schools and practitioners, the request window will now open during the last two weeks of each half term. Requests submitted during this period will be screened and actioned in the following half term.
2026
| Term name and dates | Dates in which requests can be made | Screening dates |
|---|---|---|
Spring 2
| 2 February to 13 February |
|
Summer 1
| 16 March to 27 March |
|
Summer 2
| 11 May to 22 May |
|
Bookable drop-in appointments for parents and carers
We are offering bookable 1:1 drop-in appointments for parents and carers to meet with an Inclusion and Intervention Support Team (IIST) practitioner. You will be able to discuss your concerns with the IIST practitioner and hopefully receive some useful advice and/or signposting.
If you need to discuss multiple children, you will need to book multiple time slots. The appointments are being held in local community hubs as well as some virtual options. Appointments will last approximately 45 minutes.
To view the dates and book your place, please visit our Eventbrite collection using the link below. We will add dates ahead of the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.
Cancellations
We politely ask for families to cancel their appointment via Eventbrite or email as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment. This will give other families a chance to book that time slot.
New to West Northants – admissions
The process is begun by school admissions when they are made aware of a pupil with significant SEND needs and may need support to enter a mainstream placement.
Our role in the IIST is to complete a visit and assessment to help transition the child to a mainstream education setting. This assessment is called an “understanding of needs and strengths” assessment.
It is not a diagnosis, an application for an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), a way to get a special school place or a provider of education.
Moving Forwards meetings
If an assessment for an Education, Health and Care Plan has been completed but a plan is not issued, you may request a Moving Forwards meeting to explore next steps.
How to request a meeting
Parents will have received a letter from the Education, Health and Care team explaining the outcome of the assessment. This letter includes the contact details to request a Moving Forwards meeting.
To arrange a meeting, please email: [email protected].
A member of the Inclusion and Intervention Support Team will coordinate the meeting with key school staff, parents or carers, and the child or young person where appropriate.
What to expect at the meeting
Please note the decision not to issue a plan cannot be discussed during this meeting. If you wish to challenge the decision, this must be done through mediation or tribunal.
A SEND Support Plan will have been developed based on the assessment findings. You will receive a copy in advance and are encouraged to review it and share any thoughts or concerns about its implementation.
The meeting provides an opportunity to:
- receive advice on how to implement or adapt recommended strategies
- agree on targeted support or training for school staff, delivered by the linked professional
This meeting does not include health-related advice. For support from professionals such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, or physiotherapists, please contact those services directly.
If specific teaching arrangements are needed, input may be sought from the Educational Psychology Service or the Specialist Teaching Service.