'This is Me' is a new tool being rolled out in Kent and Medway that supports neurodivergent children and young people. The tool looks at a child's strengths, needs and differences and will help everyone to understand a child's differences and meet their needs at home and at school.
A neurodivergent child's brain processes information in a different way to others. They may have sensory differences, difficulty sleeping or adapting to a change in routine. They could find it hard to sit still, make friends or say how they feel.
This is Me aims to identify and respond to a child's needs as early as possible. Schools work closely with parents and carers to complete a needs summary, which highlights the child's strengths and any areas where extra support may be required.
How does it work?
Working with schools, families and children, a trained professional will complete a 'This is Me needs summary' after observing the child and talking to them. The professional could be a teacher, special educational needs coordinator (SENCO), family liaison officer or another professional who works closely with your school and has been appropriately trained. This will not result in a diagnosis but will help the child get the support they need.
This Is Me is for children and young people who:
- do not have a diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition
- are waiting for a diagnostic assessment
- are experiencing challenges that may be linked to neurodivergence.
Neurodivergence describes the different ways people's brains process information, learn and interact with the world. Examples include:
- dyslexia
- dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder)
- dyscalculia
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- autism spectrum condition (ASC).
At present, support is only available through schools that are taking part in the This Is Me pilot. Participating schools receive training on how to use the needs summary tool and identify children who may benefit from additional support.
If appropriate, the school can then make a referral to the This Is Me team.
Referrals cannot be made by:
- parents and carers
- GPs
- other professionals
- schools that are not part of the pilot.
If you are unsure whether your child's school is taking part, please contact your school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo).
The This Is Me project is being piloted in Medway in the following schools:
- Horsted School
- St Margaret's Infant School
- St Margaret's CofE Junior School
- Twydall Primary School
- Hilltop Primary School
- Hoo St Werburgh Primary School
- All Faiths Children's Academy
- Bligh Primary School
- Cliffe Woods Primary School
- Fairview Primary School
- Leigh Academy High Halstow
- Luton Primary School
- Phoenix Primary School
- Academy of Woodlands
- Walderslade Primary School.
The This is me needs summary is a tool used by trained school staff to gain a clearer understanding of a child's strengths, needs and the support that may help them succeed.
The needs summary helps schools to:
- identify a child's strengths and areas where they may need additional support
- guide discussions with parents and carers
- agree practical strategies that can be used in school and at home
- inform referrals to the This Is Me team where further support may be needed.
Only school staff who have completed the official This Is Me training can complete the needs summary. The needs summary is a key part of the This Is Me pathway and must be completed before a referral can be considered.
Trained school staff will complete a needs summary with parents and carers to identify a child's strengths, needs and any support that may help. Families will then be signposted to appropriate local services, resources and strategies to use at home and in school for around six to 12 weeks.
After this period, the school will review the child's progress. If further support is needed, the school can make a referral to the Neurodiversity Community Team. We will work with the child, family and school to provide a tailored package of support based on their individual needs.
A range of resources(opens in new tab) is available to help parents and carers better understand neurodivergence and support their child at home and in school.
Contact us
Want to find out more about the This Is Me project? Email the team at medch.childrenscommunity@nhs.net(opens in new tab)