Early Development and Inclusion Team (EDIT)

Last updated: 20/03/2024

EDIT is an early intervention service for children with additional needs (those likely to fall within the definition of SEN/D). Advisory teachers from the Service work in partnership with parents and carers, early years practitioners, and a range of health and social care professionals to promote a child’s learning and development.

The  work may include

-        Visits to the child's educational setting and/or family home

-        Identification of a child’s strengths and difficulties

-        Advice and support to parents and carers on how best to help their child

-        Liaison and joint-working with the range of professionals who may be involved in supporting the child

-        Training and advice to pre-schools, nurseries and schools

-        Support to schools over the child’s move into Foundation/Reception classes

-        Advice to parents and settings during assessment processes relating to Education, Health and Care Plans.

The EDIT Building Blocks (in resources below)…

Explain the role of the Early Development and Inclusion Team with children with SEND and their families. The Building Blocks work on the premise that children may be well supported by confident, knowledgeable family members, whereas some parents may express to us that they feel alone and are struggling to cope with the challenges that their children are presenting. These children may attend settings that are feeling happy and secure about meeting their specific needs, or their Pre-school or Nursery may feel they need support in order to include the child successfully. We ask a series of questions to find out where a child ‘sits’ in terms of the level of help they require from EDIT.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Lesley Bungay and Jo Gordon
Contact Position
Early Development and Inclusion Team Coordinator
Telephone
01635 503646
E-mail
learningsupportteam@westberks.gov.uk
Notes

Learning Support Services Manager: Karen Bartlett

Email: karen.bartlett1@westberks.gov.uk

Telephone number: 01635 503646

Where to go

Name
West Berkshire Council
Address
Market Street
Newbury
Berkshire
Postcode
RG14 5LD
Notes

The team works across West Berkshire, visiting children in their homes, in their Pre-schools, Nurseries and Reception Classes in maintained or independent schools.

Early Development and Inclusion Team Advisory Teachers will also visit Early Years settings in neighbouring counties for a child who resides in West Berkshire.

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Monday - Friday, normal working hours during term-time
Time of day
Afternoon
Morning

Other Details

Availability

Age Ranges
Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

With the consent of parents, referrals for children living in West Berkshire can be made by

- Community and Specialist paediatricians

- Speech and Language Therapists

- Physiotherapists 

- Occupational Therapists

- SEN Services within the Education Department within West Berkshire

- Similar Education/SEND Services from other Local Authorities on behalf of a child moving into West Berkshire.

Referrals can be made by medical professionals sending a report in to the team, or they can attach a referral form to the report and send both report and referral form to the team.  The report must include details of the child’s difficulties or diagnosis, along with copies of any recent and relevant professionals’ reports and the family’s contact details should be sent to the EDIT Coordinator at the above address.

Age Range - Birth to 5 years

Local Offer

Description

EDIT is an early intervention service for children with additional needs (those likely to fall within the definition of SEN/D). Advisory teachers from the Service work in partnership with parents and carers, early years practitioners, and a range of health and social care professionals to promote a child’s learning and development.

The work may include

  • Visits to the child's educational setting and/or family home

  • Assessment of a child’s strengths and difficulties

  • Advice and support to parents and carers on how best to help their child learn new skills

  • Liaison and joint-working with the range of professionals who may be involved in supporting the child

  • Training and advice to pre-schools, nurseries and schools

  • Support to schools over the child’s move into Foundation/Reception classes

  • Advice to parents and to the Local Authority during assessment processes relating to Education, Health and Care Plans.

Contact Name
Karen Bartlett
Contact Telephone
01635 503646
Contact Email
learningsupportteam@westberks.gov.uk
SEN Provision Type
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, Medical, 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
0 to 1
1 to 4
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)

Please feel free to contact us in advance to discuss your / your child’s specific needs.

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

Children must:

  • Be resident in West Berkshire
  • Aged between 0 and 5 years
  • Have been assessed by a medical practitioner and found to have aspects of their development which are delayed and which may later be described as special educational needs and/or disabilities. This may be because of a diagnosed condition, syndrome or physical disability, or where the reason for the delay is unclear.
  • Show difficulties which are felt likely to affect the way they acquire new skills and may affect their successful inclusion in an early years setting/school.
How are referrals/applications made to your service? (include details of who can refer/apply and referral and application process)

With the consent of parents, referrals for children living in West Berkshire can be made by:

  • Community and Specialist paediatricians
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • SEN Services within the Education Department within West Berkshire
  • Similar Education/SEND Services from other Local Authorities on behalf of a child moving into West Berkshire

Referrals can be made by medical professionals sending a report in to the team, or they can attach a referral form to the report and send both report and referral form to the team. The report must include details of the child’s difficulties or diagnosis, along with copies of any recent and relevant professionals’ reports and the family’s contact details should be sent to the EDIT Coordinator at the above address.

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

For children in the year before the September in which they are due to start school, we aim to make contact within 4 term time weeks of a referral being received

For younger children contact is usually made within 12 term time weeks of a referral being made.

 

Who provides / funds your service?
Local Authority
Are children, young people, parents / carers charged for your service?
No
Inspection outcomes/quality awards

Local Authority Inspections.

Feedback and complaints procedure

Concerns can be raised direct with the EDIT Coordinator or Learning Support Services Manager. West Berkshire Council has a formal complaints procedure.

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

All staff are DBS checked and attend regular training on safeguarding

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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