Building Capacity in Universal Services using the ABLe framework

Dundee and East Dunbartonshire Educational Psychology Services

Learning intentions

 Brief introduction to ABLe to include a ‘show and tell’  The current situation and impact in Dundee  Introducing ABLe to East Dunbartonshire  Impact and feedback from East Dunbartonshire  Reflections on implementation science  Next steps for both areas

What is ABLe?

 A ddressing B arriers to Le arning

Introduction

 ABLe was created within DEPS  It is a framework to help

develop inclusion

and a

coaching tool to promote reflective practice

 It aims to help identify barriers to learning and then adapt the learning environment in response to identified need  A key principle is that barriers are addressed at a

whole class or nursery session level first

, then a group level, and finally only for the individual learner if needed

Why might we need such a model?



Increase in developmental disorders



Additional Support for Learning Act

• • • Family circumstances Health and disability Social emotional •

The learning environment



Inclusion – ‘

presumption of mainstream’  Need to build capacity in universal services

ABLe is an electronic….

ABLe brings together:

 The information needed to gain a better understanding of barriers to learning  A range of advice and strategies to help meet the needs of learners individually and on a group basis.

The ABLe framework

Two connected mind-maps:  The classroom (or learning environment)  The learner  ‘Taking a closer look’: assessment checklists  ‘Ideas for’: strategies for intervention  ‘Notes’ to develop a shared understanding

The ‘Classroom’ Map

 Key features of effective teaching/pedagogy  Ideas/reminders  The big picture: attuning the learning environment  Make adjustments at this level first

The Learner Map

 Organised according to different aspects of child development  Most areas in this map have two supporting documents already mentioned

Learner

Thinking

Language & Communication

Adaptability

Literacy

How to access ABLe

www.ableschools.org.uk

enter password and login at ‘resources’ section

Lets take a look…..

Current usage in Dundee

  Been trialled in schools since initial pilot in 2009 Formal roll out of ‘finished’ product started 2010: ABLe Champions, regular network meetings, link EPs  Website developed 2010  Now being used in 30 out of 37 primary schools and 5 of 9 secondaries

The current usage in Dundee

 CPD for NQTs/ CTs  Assessment and planning framework for individual children  Source of information-sharing at transition  Parent meetings when concerns being shared  Planning tool for groups or whole class  An audit for identifying standard supports available across the whole school or cluster  Part of staged intervention

The current impact in Dundee

 Reduced level of individualised planning in some schools  Greater distribution of responsibility for supporting pupils with additional support needs  Staff coming together more regularly to plan for the specific learning needs of individuals and groups  Cluster plans leading to greater consistency of standard supports across schools

What works for successful implementation? (Dundee)

 Leadership from the top  Committed individual within the school to lead  Coaching and modelling  Sharing practice between schools  Building on time for consultations between SfL and class or subject teachers  Write it into ASN procedures

Next Steps (Dundee)

         New Education Service Plan 2012-2017 has as a target to implement ABLe in all establishments Rewrite some sections to simplify language Make more relevant to Early years and roll out there Build in specific information relevant to ASD as part of Autism Strategy Development project Expand numeracy section Re-visit partnerships with SLT to improve some sections Improve website design and layout Align with other electronic planning documentation Establish cluster networks and target Champions needing extra mentoring

Quotes from Dundee teachers

 “The developers should be very proud, an excellent resource for teachers.”  “... a very empowering tool for people”  “The whole thing is so practical, it’s exactly what we’re needing.”  “it’s helped me to get back to basics with my thinking about children and their needs......it’s enabled us to have very good discussions about children and to begin to put things into place.”  “I’ve found ABLe absolutely fabulous.”  “I have used ABLe with two of my colleagues who have children with severe behavioural problems ……. It has totally changed how I react with them.”