Therapeutic services
Skills for life
At Brantridge School we endeavour to equip our pupils with skills they can take forward in life. It is a core principle that our pupils should be able to move on from Brantridge and take up their place n society making a positive contribution.
A key to success in life is knowing how to access the support you need. Therapeutic support services at Brantridge give pupils an insight into the world of joined up multi disciplinary working and dispel the myths and fears surrounding seeking therapeutic support.
The Services- in brief
• Art psychotherapy
• Counselling (short duration solution focussed support)
• Consultant psychiatry
• Family support sessions
• Family support/ home visits
• Speech and Language therapy
• Multi- disciplinary Team meetings
• Group support Sessions (pupils/staff)
Consultant Psychiatry
Dr Ranald McKinnon supports Brantridge for 3 half day sessions a week. He coordinates and offers clinical supervision to the Therapeutic Support Services Team. Dr McKinnon attends multi disciplinary team meetings and facilitates support sessions for groups of staff and individual families.
Art Psychotherapy, Counselling and Speech and Language Therapy
Pupils are able to access art psychotherapy, counselling and speech and language therapy at Brantridge on either a long term or short course basis. This service is allocated through a referral and assessment process which can be initiated by the Key worker, class teacher or parent/carer. All pupils are invited to an introduction to Therapeutic Services session as part of their induction into Brantridge. Parental consent is essential for any pupil to access therapeutic support beyond this introduction.
Family Support and Inclusion Manager
Carole Johns offers practical support to families and pupils in her role as Family Support and Inclusion Manager. She is available to help with; admission and transition to and from Brantridge School, communication with other agencies involved with your child, liaison with school, completion of any relevant assessments to support your child.
Multi-disciplinary Team meetings (MDT)
These useful fortnightly meetings allow all in school staff working with a particular pupil to share information and plan support and action to maximise the benefits of their placement. Outcomes of these meetings have included; increased access to community based leisure and support services, referral for therapeutic support and allocation of specific staffing resources. Typically an MDT will include, Class teacher, TA, Key worker, School Nurse, Senior Leadership Team, Therapeutic Services, Family Support and Inclusion Manager and the Consultant Psychiatrist.