Evidenced-based consultation
What is consultation?
Our team can facilitate problem-solving meetings known as Consultations. Consultations may take place as part of individual casework, group work, or at a whole school level. They are solution-focused processes that aim for agreed-upon actions. They are collaborative and inclusive of teachers, parents/carers, other relevant professionals, and, where appropriate, children and young people themselves.
What are the benefits?
Consultation is found to be a positive experience by SENCos, teachers, parents/carers and other professionals. Positive benefits include:
- Parents feel supported and report positively on the collaborative work.
- Teachers’ problem-solving skills are enhanced by their involvement in consultation meetings, and they report increased professional skills.
- Gains generalise to other children in the class due to increased teacher effectiveness.
- Whole school achievement increases.
- Knowsley’s Assessment, Placement, and Provision panel considers it good practice to engage in preventative practice such as this prior to requesting a formal assessment.
Consultations are most effective when:
- Each person contributes to the discussion and values the thoughts and opinions of others in the room.
- People are open-minded about what can be achieved and concentrate on finding solutions.
- Confidentiality is maintained.
How do I prepare for a consultation meeting?
To gain the most from these meetings, it is essential that you come prepared with:
- Information about the pupil’s strengths and interests.
- An overview of your concerns about the pupil - some staff find it helpful to make a list of concerns and use the categories of the SEN Code of Practice as a guide, i.e.:
- Cognition and Learning
- Communication and Interaction
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health
- Physical and/or Sensory
- Provide up-to-date information on academic progress and any recent assessment scores.
- Information about the strategies and interventions that have been tried before EP involvement.
What is helpful for the SENCo to do as part of the process?
- Arrange for the relevant staff to be released for 1-1.5 hours for the consultations.
- Where possible, attend the meeting together with the teacher. SENCos have a wealth of knowledge and can often bring fresh solutions.
- Ensure a private room is available for the meeting.
- Liaise with parents to ensure their attendance at the meeting.
- Collate assessment information for the meeting.
In addition to consultations for individual casework, we also offer EY Group Consultation and Reception/KS1 Group Consultation, in which settings can share challenges and formulate solutions as a group. Those not presenting also take away strategies for CYP in their setting.