Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project- Year 2

We are excited to announce that Essex will be participating in the second year of the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) Pilot within primary schools.

The PINS project is a national pilot project which aims to improve outcomes for neurodivergent children and increase inclusivity in mainstream primary schools, whilst building relationships and communication with parents/carers.

It is funded by NHS England in partnership with the Department of Education, Department for Health and Social Care and the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF).

The program will bring health and education specialists and parent carer forum representatives into mainstream primary settings to:

  • Help shape whole school SEND provision
  • Provide early interventions at a school level
  • Upskill school staff
  • Support and strengthen partnerships between schools and parent carers.
  • Support and strengthen partnerships between parent carer forums and integrated care boards

Essex was one of the largest PINS projects across the country in year 1, with 95 schools taking part. As the parent carer forum for Essex, the schools taking part will work closely with us. In the second year there will be fewer schools taking part allowing for embedding work to take place in the schools from year 1.

The project has 2 parts, the training and working with school staff is being undertaken by HCRG care group and they will provide practical on the ground support in the schools.

The second part is lead by Essex Family Forum who have contracted Family Champions with lived experience to hold meetings within the PINS schools. These meetings are to hear parent carer views and experience of how all children (especially those with additional needs) are supported and included at school.

We will also be collecting ideas about how parent carers can work in partnership with the schools to create inclusivity. The EFF school representattives will share themes from the parent carer feedback from meetings and surveys with senior leaders at the schools to deliver changes and improvements for children and families.

The goal of the PINS program is to leave a sustainable impact, increasing collaboration between schools and families to show how a supportive learning environment and knowledgeable school can improve the outcomes for neurodiverse children.

Click on the following links for a list of support for parents/carers in that area;

North East Essex (Colchester/Tendring)

West Essex (Harlow/Uttlesford/Epping Forest)

South Essex (Basildon/Brentwood/Castlepoint/Rochford)

Mid Essex (Chelmsford/Braintree/Maldon)

We hope that the learnings from this pilot project will be instrumental in affecting real inclusion  within schools.

In collaboration with our partners, we are currently identifying schools to be invited to express interest in joining this year’s project. Priority will be given to schools with:
  • High levels of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
  • Elevated suspension or exclusion rates
  • Those on the waiting list from last year’s pilot

These are the current list of schools taking part in PINS year 2.

MID:

John Ray Juniors
Great Leighs Primary
Gosfield Primary
Templars
Beckers Green Primary
Great Bradfords Primary
Rettendon Primary

SOUTH:

Lubbins Park Primary
South Benfleet Primary
Great Wakering Primary
Kelveden Hatch
Briscoe Primary
Mountnessing Primary
Wickford Primary
Runwell Primary

WEST:

Ivy Chimneys Primary
Pear Tree Mead Primary
Freshwaters Primary BMAT
William Martin Junior Primary
Nazeing Primary
Cooks Spinney
Chigwell Row Infant school
Elsenham Primary
Water Lane Academy
Chigwell Primary
Limes Farm Juniors

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