Our health and Therapy teams are not employed by the school, they are employed by the NHS. They are usually based on our school site and occassionally at Cedar House. We work in close partnership with our NHS colleagues to ensure that every child's health and wellbeing needs are fully supported. By collaborating with health professionals, we aim to provide a joined up approach that helps children thrive both in and out of the classroom. All students have a named therapist who works closely with school staff and families to ensure each child's therapy needs are provided at school and at home to ensure each student reaches their full potential.
For students that live in Enfield, the therapy team work closely with families in an attempt for each student to generalise their physical and communication skills. For students that do not live in Enfield, the therapy team will liaise with therapists from the child's home borough.
Physiotherapy
The physiotherapists at Waverley are experts in paediatric physiotherapy, dedicating themselves to supporting the physical development of students by focusing on movement, strength, and stamina to promote functional independence. They design personalised physiotherapy programs and collaborate closely with school staff to ensure their effective implementation. Physiotherapists work closely with class teams, providing effective training and guidance; physical assessments; input into goal attainment steps; review postural management programmes, and regularly assess the effectiveness of equipment which supports the students posture. Additionally, the physiotherapists assess and manage postural strategies, serial casting, hydrotherapy, and oversee orthotics clinics. They also evaluate and recommend equipment such as standers, walkers, and devices that assist with postural management. Our physiotherapy team consistently reviews current best practices and scientific evidence to deliver the most effective interventions.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therpaists (OT's) help children to access everyday activities such as self care and personal care (eating, drinking, using the toilet, dressing and undressing); accessing learning and the community; taking part in play and leisure activities; and developing independence. OT's review the needs of the child and identify a support programme specific to each child. In addition, the OT's work closely with school staff to ensure children are able to access learning by ensuring they have access to bespoke seating, hand splints, switches and cutlery. Programmes can be offered in blocks to support small groups, whole classes or individualised for one child. Programmes will look different for each child depending on their motor skills, dexterity, physical needs etc.
Please click here for more information from the OT team:
Occupational Therapy Flyer
Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
We have a speech and language therapy team who support our total communication environment across the school. They support students to communicate in the most effective way and also work closely with staff to develop an effective communication system for each student. They support children to develop their receptive and expressive language and coordinate assessments for a range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) aids and systems. The SALT team provide staff and parent training, model communication strategies and input into goal attainment steps.
The SALT team work closely with the dietician to assess and review children with dysphagia. They also work closely with STIR (the schools caterers) to ensure all food is prepared and served correctly in accordance with each child's dysphagia needs, helping them to eat and drink safely.
Special School Nursing Team (SSNT)
The Special School Nursing Team (SSNT) are registered nurses who are commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to meet the medical needs of students with EHCPs while they are at school. The nursing team delegate some health tasks to school staff when agreed with the headteacher. This is on a voluntary basis and staff are required to be adequately trained and regularly competency checked by the registered nurses. If school staff do not accept delegation, the health task reverts back to the ICB commissioned service (i.e SSNT), they are responsible for meeting all health needs of children with EHCPs while they are in school.
Dietician
We have a specialist community paediatric dietician who provides a service to the school. They work closely with school staff and the speech and language therapists around aspects of swallowing, to update feeding regimes and investigate any concerns raised regarding eating, drinking, allergies or growth. They work closely with the parents and carers to ensure they are supported in a timely manner around their child’s nutrition.
Paediatrician
A paediatrician delivers regular clinics at Waverley main site for almost all of our students across Waverley. However, a small number of students have their Paediatrician appointments at Cedar House (St Michael's Primary Care Centre).
Please click the button for contact information and directions to Cedar House: hOW TO FIND US
Other professionals
Educational psychology
We purchase educational psychology support from the Enfield Educational Psychology service. They complete statutory assessments and write reports for Education Health and Care Plans as needed.
Teacher of the Deaf
Katy Clark works with pupils and staff who support pupils who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Teacher for those who are blind or partially sighted
Waverley is supported by Flourish VI service.
