The Adelaide Link Pathway
Adelaide Link is a pathway for young people with an EHCP for social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The primary need of these pupils is mental health. Many of these pupils present with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Autism or have been emotionally base school avoiders (EBSA). Some have had tier 4 in-patient stays and others access Tier 3 CAMHs or other mental health services. As a result, we work closely with medical providers to ensure our provision meets the needs of these young people. The provision offered by the link is tailored to every individual and their needs.
Each pupil has an individualised plan and timetable for their education. Their timetable is devised with the pupil and family to give them the best opportunity to achieve. This can include working at home with a view to transitioning to our Link area within Adelaide school. The area has its own entrance and facilities to enable pupils to remain within this nurturing zone without having to access the main school. Pupils work towards a range of qualifications including GCSE’s as well as receiving a wide range of experiences to enhance their curriculum. We include socially prescribed interventions such as Forest school, Outdoor education, Art therapy and we even have a Cockapoo called Barnaby who helps pupils with attendance!
We recognise that all pupils joining us are on a journey, some starting from tuition at home and then building to access facilities in the main school if appropriate to them. Progress for these pupils is not always linear and therefore their timetables are reviewed regularly to continue to meet their changing needs. Predominantly, the Link pupils join in KS4 after long periods of absence from school. Consequently, some of these pupils remain with us into 6th form to make the academic and holistic progress necessary to prepare them for life after school. We work with Cheshire East SEN Team to identify pupils in need of ongoing specialised support beyond year 11 due to their previous limited engagement with education and missed opportunities due to their medical needs.
‘The staff have been unfailingly supportive and understanding of my son’s needs, adjusting his timetable where possible to accommodate them. My son has just sat his first exams in five years, and is contemplating possibly doing some lessons with others next year, which was totally unthinkable a year ago. When I told him he was allowed another two years at the Link, he cheered. We are both so, so grateful for giving him back a degree of normality, and the real possibility to achieve something with his life’.
Parent
‘The Link at Adelaide is entirely student focused. The transition into the Link is done at the pace at which the student can cope with and in agreement between the student, the school and the parents. Communication between Link and the home is first class, and they will support the student in any way they can. If the student is not able to get into school then a member of the team will visit the home to try and support them attending, deliver them some school work, have a discussion to support an intervention or bridge mechanism for the following day or even deploy Barnaby the School Assistance dog, nothing is too much trouble for this amazing school’
Parent
‘I feel that Adelaide Link has supported me really well emotionally and educationally, all the staff treat me equally and with respect. I'm looking forward to next year at the link and I feel positive about completing my GCSE's ’
Pupil
the adelaide link pathway 1 .pdf
