Developing Decision-making with Children and Young People with SEN A Practical Guide For Education and Associated Professionals

We all make decisions every day, but are you aware of the process you use to make a decision? This essential practical guide for education and associated professionals, using education-focused case studies throughout to illustrate key points, explains the mechanics of decision-making, introducing the associated language and concepts. It presents both a practical decision-making framework based in the Mental Capacity Act decision-making process, and a decision-making syllabus, from which education professionals can create their own curriculum. Being able to make decisions is an important life skill, which can have a positive impact on well-being. However, many children and young people with SEN will need direct teaching and guidance to develop this ability, from the earliest age. The book explores the types of important decisions children and young people may need to make in relation to their education, with particular focus on choosing a new educational placement, providing practical guidance about how education professionals can support young people to make this decision. There is reference throughout the book as to the ways in which practitioners can work in partnership with parents to support and develop children and young people’s decision-making ability. Appendices provide completed decision-making frameworks and associated guidance.

Acknowledgements Prolegomenon Setting the Scene Part 1 Decision-Making Chapter 1 Making Decisions Chapter 2 Mental Health Perspective Chapter 3 Legislative Context Chapter 4 Making Decisions About Educational Matters Part 2 Decision-making Syllabus Chapter 5 Decision-making Syllabus Chapter 6 The Art of Writing SMART Outcomes Part 3 The Role of Education and Associated Professionals Chapter 7 Educational Psychologists (EPs)and Associated Professionals Chapter 8 Supporting and Involving Parents Epilogue Reflections and Steps Forward Appendix 1 Completed Decision-making Framework for ‘Important’ Decisions for Education and Associated Professionals or Parents Appendix 2 Child or Young Person Completed Decision-making Form Appendix 3 Statutory ‘Best Interests’ Checklist and Completed ‘Best Interests’ Balance Sheet Appendix 4 SEND Code of Practice Preparation for Adult Outcomes Appendix 5 Guidelines for Undertaking Observations Appendix 6 Sample ‘My Activity Passport’ Appendix 7 Mechanics of Talking Mats Style Approach Glossary References Resources Index

Jane L. Sinson is an HCPC registered educational psychologist (EP) and Chartered Educational Psychologist. Having attained adegree in Psychology, she taught pupils with special needs in a range of mainstream, resourced and special schools before training as an educational psychologist. She worked as a local authority (LA) educational psychologist for overtwenty years, supporting pupils and staff in a range of mainstream, resourced and special schools as well as delivering training to school staff and parent workshops. Additionally, Jane was the EP representative on the CAMHS school-aged autism protocol panel, and course tutor for the LA teaching assistant accredited training. Whilst an LA EP she lectured in the UK to psychology undergraduates and education undergraduates in Hong Kong. After leaving the local authority, initially Jane worked for an independent psychological service undertaking dyslexia assessments in further and higher education institutions as well as expert witness work, before becoming self-employed. She has been part of The Ear Foundation multidisciplinary assessment team undertaking assessments of deaf children and young people. Currently, she is mainly commissioned to deliver training to education professionals and parents related to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and developing children and young people’s decision-making ability, as well as writing on the subject. Jane also undertakes voluntary work as an EP in a school for children with severe learning difficulties in St Lucia, Caribbean.