Specialist Teacher Advisory Service (as at January 2003)

Purpose

To provide advice to schools and parents about children with physical disabilities, visual or hearing impairment so that they can make as much progress as possible.

Proposed improvements

1. Improve staffing levels and utilisation

2. Increase equipment budget

3. Measure demands on/activities of STAs

4. Develop links with resourced schools/SEN Service

5. Improve use of Information Technology (ICT)

6. Evaluate professional development.

Progress in implementing the improvement plan

1. There has been an increase of 0.5 fte STA (Hearing Impairment) which is entirely funded by reclaiming costs from post 16 colleges.The re-instatement of 0.5 fte STA (ICT) has not been achieved due to lack of funding. Likewise, the Head of Service post has not been achieved due to lack of funding.

2. The equipment budget was not increased but other funding sources are on stream, eg, the Schools Access Initiative (SAI) and the Communication Aids Project (CAP).

3. A further survey of users will be conducted in March 2003. Questionnaires will be sent to parents, school staff and other professionals to evaluate their views about the effectiveness of the service provided.

4. A joint one day conference with the SEN Service and Educational Psychology Service is taking place on Friday 14 February 2003.

5. All Service members have now been trained in the use of ICT and all full time STAS have a lap-top.

6. Professional development co-ordinators for each of the three specialisms were appointed in autumn 2002 (within existing staff resources). Evaluation of professional development is, therefore, being co-ordinated. All qualified staff in the Service now have up to date job descriptions.

Plans for future implementation

1. A new description of what the Service provides (publicity leaflet) is in preparation.

2. Consultation has begun regarding the development plan for 2002-2005.