Neurodiversity in Schools Project

Neurodiversity in Schools is a national project, funded by the NHS, that aims to improve the support for children and young people in mainstream schools. All ten local authorities in Greater Manchester are now signed up, with it being the first year that it’s taking place in Tameside.

A long list of schools expressed an interest in the programme and four were chosen – two primary schools and two secondary schools.

  • Alder High School – Hyde
  • Mossley Hollins High School – Mossley
  • Millbrook Primary School – Stalybridge
  • Bradley Green Primary School – Hyde

 

A key element to the project is partnership working, and the partnership in Tameside includes Our Kids Eyes charity, Tameside Council (including the Specialist Outreach Support Service and Educational Psychology team), Mental Health Support teams (NHS), Active Tameside’s SEND Participation Officer and the local schools themselves.

Our Kids Eyes charity play a vital role in setting up parent groups within schools, where they get to meet parent carers to hear their views and experiences, share their knowledge and help find solutions to any identified concerns. The aim is to support parent carers as well as build networks and relationships within schools.

There are five training modules which have been written by a task group that included autistic adults, specialist teachers, educational psychologists and parent carers. The training will be delivered by the partnership to school staff through the year. It is planned that parent carers will also have the opportunity to access the training too.

Active Tameside’s SEND participation officer is meeting with children and young people and hearing their experiences of school and finding out what is important to them. This part of the programme will look to raise self-awareness and encourage young people to share their voice so that the partnership can enable school environments to meet the needs of its students and improve their experience.

Schools will have access to mental health support via the Mental Health Support teams who have a neurodiversity lead identified to deliver the training modules.

The schools can access a small budget to purchase specific items to help with sensory support and other identified needs they may have.

For information about the project, you can email local.offer@tameside.gov.uk

Find out about support available for parent carers.