The PINS (Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools) project is almost at an end of phase 1. NHS England and the Parent Carer Forum is working together with 4 schools in Cheshire West and Chester. The PCF is part of the Steering Group for the project and we have been working with our SEND colleagues in the NHS and the Local Authority to plan and implement the project. It is a partnership approach, and the aim of the Parent Carer Forum is to help to build on and strengthen the relationship between schools and parent carers. 

The schools involved are: Little Sutton C of E Primary, St. Winefride's Catholic Primary, Neston Primary and Farndon Primary. Each school has completed a self-evaluation form on their knowledge and understanding of Inclusion and Neurodiversity and the parents at each school have been asked to complete a survey. 

We have also held 2 parent carer coffee mornings in all 4 schools which provided an opportunity to talk about the project and for parents to share their experiences. We invited local agencies to come along and share the support they provide to families - Information Advice and Support Team and Koala came along to our second coffee mornings. 

We will be holding our third coffee mornings in each of the schools during Feb and March, where we will be talking to parents about some of the training that has taken place in their school and asking for more of their feedback and own personal experiences. Chester Autism Practical Support (ChAPS) will be joining us this half-term with lots of helpful signposting advice and where to go for support. 

If you would like to watch the recordings from some of the online training that the schools have taken part in already, or view resources, you will find the links below: 

ONLINE TRAINING RECORDINGS

Re-Introduction to PINS 

Embracing Difference

Understanding Needs

How to differentiate between trauma and neurodiversity - behavioural presentation

Getting to the cause of behaviour and the effects of others responses - Relational and trauma informed approaches to behaviour

Slides from 'Getting to the cause of behaviour and the effects of others responses ..'

Teacher 'language' - Raising Awareness of Language Differences for Neurodivergent Pupils in School

Slides from 'Teacher 'language'  ..'

Understanding sensory seeking and avoiding, children learning self regulation and the PDA profile

Slides from 'Understanding Sensory Seeking and Avoiding..'

Reception Year - getting off to a good start

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Slides from ARFID Presentation

TRAINING RESOURCES

Verbal Reasoning Resources - Skill Dev. List and Levels 1-4

STAR Behaviour Chart

ASD Eating Difficulties

What is ARFID?

Tips for extreme fussy eating



The value of a partnership approach between families and school communities

Both pupils and parents will have an opportunity to share their views about what is working well and what could be improved. The input, knowledge and insight of parents will be a key element and a positive strength of the PINS project.

The CWaC Parent Carer Forum will be facilitating at least 3 meetings  with parents over the duration of the project.

Topics will be identified, and training/support  offered to parents, staff and pupils with the aim of learning and developing together and having a shared understanding

By working together in coproduction with the school, parents and teachers will have the opportunity to share information, decrease isolation and develop or strengthen positive relationships between parent carers and the school.



If you would like more information about the project, or if your child is at one of the PINS Project schools and you would like to know how to get involved, then please email Vanessa Usai at secretary.pcf.cwac@gmail.com.

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