Engagement is driven by a strong team of staff who share a highly developed understanding of each student’s needs, preferences and communication methods.

• All staff are experienced in supporting and value Neurodiversity. Special interests are valued and incorporated into learning experiences, communication, sensory and emotional regulation and used to help develop self-identity and awareness.

• Staff are trained in the use of the ‘Engagement Model’ and use it daily to reflect on their practice, students’ experiences and progress towards targets

• Consistent use of routine and environmental communication and cues builds students understanding of and engagement with all daily activities.

• We recognise that student engagement can fluctuate and so aim to consistently honour student’s communication, giving them time, space and opportunities to regulate and re-engage later

• We proactively engage with other agencies such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Forward Thinking Birmingham and Educational Psychology. We work with them to follow clear referral paths, establish good relationships and ensure consistent implementation of recommendations and approaches.

• Good relationships are developed with all parents and carers where staff value their experience, understanding and knowledge and seek to work together to support student student development and progress.

• All parents and carers are communicated with daily via a home school diary and most are communicated with verbally at least weekly. Parents are encouraged to contact class teams for more formal communication or appointments. In addition, coffee mornings, parent groups and workshops are offered throughout the year.