Effective Use of Individual Support Plans | Dave Smallwood

In this episode, Clare talks to Dave Smallwood, Principal Team Teach trainer and Director at SENse Training and Consultancy, about how to make the best use of individual support plans.

They talk about what makes an effective support plan, considering the various elements that could be included. They also discuss the benefits of creating robust individual support plans, and how effective use of these can positively children, young people and adults, as well as staff members.

Dave has worked in special schools, for both the local authority and the National Autistic Society, and has extensive experience of supporting young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities.

As a staff development co-ordinator for the National Autistic Society, he developed and delivered training in autism, and equality, diversity, and rights.

You can find Dave on LinkedIn.

He also shares three tips during the episode:

• Make individual support plans available to all staff, so that everyone is aware of a person’s unique needs, and strategies that could be used.
• Make sure any plans are used consistently by everyone involved in a person’s care and support.
• Collaborate with other staff, but also with the individuals themselves, to make sure they have ownership of their own plan, and can make their own contribution.

The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.