Children & Young People

I’m someone who helps children and young people understand how they learn, think, and feel. My job is to work with you, your parents/carers and adults in school to help you with anything you are finding tricky at home or school so that you can feel happy and learn at your best.

You might be finding something a bit tricky—like learning, concentrating, making friends, going to school or feeling worried. I’m here to listen and find ways to help.

Not at all! You’re not in trouble. I’m here to get to know you and learn how best to help you. There are no right or wrong answers.

We might talk about some of your thoughts, play some games, do puzzles, or work on activities. I’ll use things that show me how you think, feel, communicate and learn. You can ask me questions any time.

We’ll usually meet in a quiet room—maybe at your school or home where you feel comfortable. I’ll speak with your parents/carers and school to work it out and they can let you know before we meet.

There might be some tasks to do, but they’re not like school tests. They’re just to help me better understand what you’re good at and what you find tricky. Most children find them interesting or even fun! You can let me know if you do not wish to do them or, if you start, you can let me know if you do not wish to continue them.

Sometimes I visit your classroom to see how things are going for you in lessons. I’ll just be watching quietly to understand how you learn, what’s working well, and where you might need a bit of help. You might see me writing some notes to help me remember what I see but I won’t be judging or marking anything—just learning more about you. I might also walk

around the class to look at your work and the work of other children in your class, but no children will know I am there to watch you.

You don’t have to tell anyone anything about me if you don’t want to because they will not know I am there to see you. It’s your choice. If you would like to tell your friends something or they see you working with me somewhere and they ask you, you can say whatever feels right for you. Some children say, “She’s here to do some special work with me” or “to help

me at school”.

Yes! If something feels uncomfortable or you want to stop, just let me know. I’m here to help, and what you think and feel matters.

Usually I’ll tell your parents/carers and adults at school about important things I find out. This will allow them to help you with my guidance. If there is anything you do not want me to share you can let me know. I won’t share these private things you tell me unless I think you or someone’s safety is at risk. If this happens, I cannot keep it a secret and will need to tell

an adult at school or your parent/carer but I will always let you know before I do or we can do it together.

It’s okay to feel a bit nervous. Some children do when they are working with someone new. My job is to help you feel relaxed while you’re working with me so we will only do what you feel okay with. You can let me know if you want to take a break or stop and we’ll do things at a speed that feels right for you.

I’ll write some information to your teachers and parents/carers about what you’re good at, what you find tricky, and how best they can help you. It’s to make sure the grown-ups around you know how to support you in the best way.  After we meet, if I need to see you again, a grown-up at school or home will tell you. You might see me at your school again, but that doesn’t always mean I’m there to see you—I sometimes come to talk to other children or grown-ups too.