Ethnic Minority & Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS)

Last updated: 18/04/2023

The Ethnic Minority & Traveller Service (EMTAS) provides support for ethnic minority children and their families. This includes children for whom English is an additional language and children from Gypsy or Traveller backgrounds.

 EMTAS can provide the following services:

  • Translation and interpretation at meetings in Polish, Romanian.
  • Advice for parents regarding the acquisition of English and the British education system.
  • Assistance with first language assessments in Polish and Romanian.
  • Bilingual support for children in class to access the curriculum and develop their English in Polish and Romanian.
  • Training for schools with regard to English as an additional language.
  • English language assessments of newly arrived pupils.
  • Advice on teaching strategies to support newly arrived pupils with English as an additional language.
  • Liaison between home and school to develop cultural understanding.
  • Develop links between Gypsy, Roma and Traveller parents and school to improve cultural understanding.
  • INSET for teachers to support the teaching and learning of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.
  • Support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils and parents at meetings and transition days.
  • Support for schools and families in improving school attendance and access to activities and clubs for ethnic minority children.
  • Short-term intervention for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to target specific gaps in learning and engagement.
  • Support for children of circus and showman families.

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Caroline Manders
Contact Position
Administrative Assistant
Telephone
07918988618
E-mail
caroline.manders1@westberks.gov.uk

Where to go

Name
Council Offices
Address
Pincents Lane, Turnhams Green
Tilehurst
Reading
Postcode
RG31 4UH

Time / Date Details

Time of day
Afternoon
Morning

Other Details

Costs

Details
The service is funded through the schools’ funding system. It is free at point of contact for maintained schools and academies who purchase EMTAS services. The funding is dedelegated.

Availability

Age Ranges

Age Range Notes

Age range 3-18 years

Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

Teachers or parents can contact our service. Teachers can use the Ethnic Minority & Traveller Achievement Service referral form which is attached. Parents can contact the service for advice and guidance but referrals need to come through schools.

Local Offer

Description

The Ethnic Minority & Traveller Service (EMTAS) provides support for ethnic minority children and their families. This includes children for whom English is an additional language and children from Gypsy or Traveller backgrounds.

 EMTAS can provide the following services:

  • Translation and interpretation at meetings in Polish and Romanian.
  • Advice for parents regarding the acquisition of English and the British education system.
  • Assistance with first language assessments in Polish and Romanian.
  • Bilingual support for children in class to access the curriculum and develop their English in Polish and Romanian.
  • Training for schools with regard to English as an additional language.
  • English language assessments of newly arrived pupils.
  • Advice on teaching strategies to support newly arrived pupils with English as an additional language.
  • Liaison between home and school to develop cultural understanding.
  • Develop links between Gypsy, Roma and Traveller parents and school to improve cultural understanding.
  • INSET for teachers to support the teaching and learning of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils.
  • Support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils and parents at meetings and transition days.
  • Support for schools and families in improving school attendance and access to activities and clubs for ethnic minority children.
  • Short-term intervention for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to target specific gaps in learning and engagement.
  • Support for children of circus and showman families.
SEN Provision Type
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Medical, Specific Literacy Difficulties, Speech & Language Difficulties, Behavioural, Emotional & Social Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Physical Disability, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulties, Severe Learning Difficulties, Visual Impairment
Local Offer Age Bands
5 to 7
7 to 11
12 to 14
15 to 16
16 to 18
19 plus
Needs Level
High
Medium
Low

General Provider

Is your service accessible? (consider in general terms how you make your service accessible, in addition to any specific premises issues)

EMTAS support is usually provided in schools for pupils with English as an additional language. Liaison with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils usually takes place in the home or in school.

What are the eligibility criteria for your service? (please include any age restrictions, types of need catered for etc)

EMTAS provides support for ethnic minority pupils from Nursery to Yr 12. Our expertise is in supporting families from ethnic minority backgrounds generally in education rather than specifically in SEND.

How are referrals/applications made to your service? (include details of who can refer/apply and referral and application process)

Teachers or parents can contact our service. Teachers can use the Ethnic Minority & Traveller Achievement Service referral form which is attached. Parents can contact the service for advice and guidance but referrals need to come through schools.

What is your service standard for responding to referrals/accessing services? (include timescales for responding to referrals and accessing services)

EMTAS will respond to referrals within one week. Depending on the nature of the referral an assessment may then be arranged. Advice can be given to parents and teachers over the phone or visits to school can be arranged.

Who provides / funds your service?
Local Authority
Details of charges, whether any help is available with costs

The service is funded through the schools’ funding system. It is free at point of contact for maintained schools and academies who purchase EMTAS services. The funding is dedelegated.

Feedback and complaints procedure

Feedback or complaints should be made initially to EMTAS Team Leader Pamela Voss. Standard West Berkshire procedures for feedback or complaints should be followed.

How will I know my child will be safe using this service?

All staff have enhanced DBS checks and are up to date with Safeguarding Child Protection training.

Quality checks

  • DBS check

West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.

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