One on one support in a preschool setting

The request was partially successful.

Dear Monmouthshire Council,

Please can you provide answers to the following.

1) Is a non verbal child aged three years and diagnosed with ASD entitled to one on one support in a preschool setting.

2) Are there any limitations on the number of hours for one on on support per week?

3) What is the basis/policy towards allocation of one on support hours per week.

4) Is there a formal assessment carried out to determine the need for one on one support?

5) If so who carries out the assessment and what is the duration of the assessment?

6)How many children receive one on support in preschool in Monmouthshire?

7)If so, how many hours a day and week?

I look forward to your response

Yours faithfully,

Tuhin Gavand

Freedom of Information, Monmouthshire County Council

Dear Tuhin Gavand

I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The response to your request is as follows:

1) Is a non verbal child aged three years and diagnosed with ASD entitled to one on one support in a preschool setting.
We rarely provide one to one support in a pre-school setting unless the child has a physical disability and requires support to move around the setting. We do, however, provide additional support if it is required to enable settings to carry out intervention work with identified children.

2) Are there any limitations on the number of hours for one on one support per week?
A child aged between 2 and 3 years will receive a maximum of 2 hours support for 2 sessions a week. Once a child is eligible for Foundation Phase Nursery provision, the term following their third birthday, this can increase up to a maximum of 2 hours support for 5 sessions a week.

3) What is the basis/policy towards allocation of one on support hours per week.
If it is felt that additional support is required, a referral form is completed by the setting and our ALN Liaison Officer will visit and arrange to meet with the parents, if requested.

4) Is there a formal assessment carried out to determine the need for one on one support?
The child is then discussed (with parental permission) at the next Early Years ALN Multi-Agency Panel Meeting and the level of support is agreed.

5) If so who carries out the assessment and what is the duration of the assessment?
There is currently no assessment; a combination of observations and pupil profiles is used to make a judgement, along with discussions with staff, parents and health professionals (if applicable).

6)How many children receive one on support in preschool in Monmouthshire?
During the last financial year, 25 children received additional support (not necessarily one to one support) at a pre-school setting.

7)If so, how many hours a day and week?
Each child received a different number of hours support a week depending on their need and their actual attendance; however, a total of 3,294 hours were funded during the last financial year.

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Regards

Averil Hoggins
Freedom of Information Support Officer (temporary)
Email / Ebost: [email address]

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