How We Work
We work with schools on a referral basis.
All enquiries should come to us via your schools SENDCO.
Stage 1:
Selection process
At the beginning of each academic year, the Trustees at Arts Therapies for Children selection board determine how many children we can support with our creative therapies.
After this process, Arts Therapies for Children will notify their network of schools, Head
Teachers and SENDCOs.
Stage 2:
Meeting your therapist
The SENDCO refers children to Arts Therapies for Children based on the school’s priorities.
Stage 3:
Arranging a convenient time to receive therapy
Once a child has been selected to receive our therapies, the school will send consent forms to parents and caregivers. Once completed and submitted, Arts Therapies for Children will arrange for one of their therapists to visit the child in school to observe the child in class and at play. Following these observations, the therapist will liaise with the SENDCO to work out a time for therapy. We work hard to cause as minimum disruption to core learning as possible.
The therapist then meets the child for an initial one-to-one assessment, and to explore what each child hopes to achieve by engaging with our therapies. We work in a holistic way and parents/caregivers, as well as teaching staff, SENDCOs and Head Teachers also have an important part to play regarding each child’s therapeutic journey, hopes and outcomes.
Stage 4:
Child development
history & baseline
Assuming that the child and family wish to continue with therapy after the initial assessment, the therapist then meets with the parents/caregivers to complete the contract and to find out more about the child and his/her circumstances and developmental story.
Stage 5:
Interim review
The therapist meets the parent(s)/caregivers during term time to assess how therapy is progressing and to establish if the child requires a longer-term intervention. The child’s voice is paramount in this process too.
Stage 6:
Ending
At the end of the therapeutic intervention, the therapist will share feedback to parents/caregivers and teachers to ascertain the impact of therapy and what helps the child.
Additional information
DBS
Arts Therapies for Children DBS checks and takes several references on all of its therapists and provides this information to your school before any of its therapists begin working with children.
Professional indemnity insurance
All therapists ATFC work with have their own professional indemnity insurance which will be sent to the school in question before any work begins.
Supervision
All therapists are supervised by approved, experienced and qualified supervisors to ensure that your child receive the best therapy possible.
Confidentiality
All therapists employed by ATFC will are members of the HCPC and are legally bound not to disclose any confidential material.
Safeguarding
Any safeguarding issues are reported immediately to the child protection officer at each school and the therapist’s supervisors before any therapist leaves the school premises on the day of the disclosure.
School ethos / dress code
All therapists will be fully briefed on each schools ethos and will be expected to dress and behave accordingly.