Assistive technology / therapies

The therapies team at Hereward plays a vital role in supporting the young people in our care and offers a range of therapies tailored to suit individual needs. 

With physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy all in one facility, learners can access support to help achieve their goals for learning, independence and leisure.

Assistive technology

All students are assessed with regard to assistive technology needs. We strive to provide cutting edge technical solutions that facilitate inclusive approaches in the classroom and for independence.

Further specialist support is offered to students with communication needs, neurodiversity, motor difficulties, visual and hearing impairments. 

Physiotherapy

Every learner at Hereward presents differently and has different physical needs. At Hereward we tailor a physiotherapy programme specific to individual needs and goals. The physiotherapy treatments on offer help to:

  • Increase muscle strength through strengthening and mobilisation exercises

  • Minimise abnormal patterns of movement through realignment and activation of muscles

  • Improve balance and mobility through assessment of different seating and mobility aids and postural re-education

  • Increase sensation through sensory stimulation

  • Reduce muscle stiffness, spasms and pain through stretching programmes

  • Reduce the risk of falls through balancework, gait re-education and training

Speech and language therapy

Hereward offers support for all learners’ communication needs which range from speech, language, social communication, Makaton and dysphagia support. 

Each learner is assessed and a plan is put in place to ensure a range of skills are developed to enable them to increase their confidence and communicate to their full potential in all areas of life both inside and outside college.

Learners are supported individually or in groups using both high and low tech Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to suit their needs and our experienced multidisciplinary approach means that there is ongoing support for students requiring AAC equipment.

Emotional wellbeing

All learners have access to a number of specialists to support their emotional wellbeing. This includes:

  • Counselling service

  • Educational psychologist

  • Clinical psychiatrist

  • Clinical psychologist

A counselling service is available to all learners offering a private confidential space to work through their feelings and problems.

Specialist consultants

We have a number of specialist consultants with various backgrounds to ensure that we can accommodate a wide range of learners. Our current consultants include:

 

Dr Simon Conner - Consultant Educational Psychologist

Dr Conner is an independent educational psychologist with a background of delivering high quality psychological advice and support to schools, young people and families.

Dr Claire David - Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr David has worked for more than ten years in the NHS as a clinical psychologist working within an inpatient service for people with intellectual disabilities .

Jenny Quinn - Consultant Occupational Therapist in Sensory Therapy

An experienced occupational therapist working in a wide range of areas including secure services, specialist learning disability services and the higher education sector. Jenny has an interest in sensory processing and is also an advanced sensory intergeneration practitioner.

“Teachers have a detailed understanding of the starting points of learners with high needs. They use this information effectively to develop learners’ individual learning and support plans. Teachers and support staff work closely with the clinical team to put in place appropriate therapies and adjustments. As a result, learners participate in a bespoke curriculum that supports them to achieve to the best of their ability.”

Ofsted report, 2023