
Induction of Personal Assistants for Students with complex communication and learning needs
Here are a few thoughts on the induction of PAs who have complex communication systems and may also have different ways of learning and relating to others.
- Make sure expectations and tasks very clear
- Establish clear goals
- Clarify personal and professional boundaries from the start
- Allow PA to meet wider team members including involved therapists
- Clarify house rules
- Identify training needs
- Establish back up plan if PA not available
- Work on how PA with be involved as a ‘Communication Partner’ with young person – teaching them relevant communication skills and process
- Work on the use of person centred language
- Introduce social model of disability as opposed to medical model
- Provide series of supervision sessions from independent other who understands social model of disability and inclusion values – develop an inclusion heart and mindset – these are offered by Inclusive Solutions
- Introduce to Social inclusion and intentional building of relationship style work
- Give them time with experienced inclusion facilitators such as offered by Inclusive Solutions