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
Once per half term, a school can use a shared link to request up to 4 priority children for review. These requests are screened weekly, a week in arrears by IIST leadership team for suitability. To arrange meetings effectively and reduce travel costs and time impact, please make your requests in one block of 4.
If accepted, you will hear from your linked worker within a working week to arrange the day for them to come in and complete the observations and feedback meetings.
If not accepted, you will receive an email from the IIST inbox, copying in the linked practitioner to confirm the reason for non-acceptance or offer signposting to alternative appropriate services.
We are operating within the Graduated approach. Therefore, we are asking you to submit documented evidence alongside the form, without this your request will not be screened.
Timings of requests being received, reviewed and actioned
For the spring term 2026, the link to make a request for support will open 2 weeks prior to the half term break, and close 2 weeks following the completion of half term break. This link will be shared ready for use on Monday 8 December 2025 and close on Friday 16 January 2026.
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.