Early Intervention in SEND: why every staff member matters

One truth stands out in effective SEND provision: early identification changes lives. Schools we support consistently highlight one crucial factor in making this happen: the power of whole-school awareness and engagement. Time and again, SENCOs share how their most significant breakthroughs often stem from observations made by staff across all areas of school life - from classroom to corridor, playground to dinner hall.

The Power of Many Eyes

When visiting schools, we see countless moments where pupils reveal important indicators about their needs:

• That quiet corner of the playground where Jamie always seems to play alone
• The library, where Sarah's enthusiasm for stories doesn't quite match her reading confidence
• The lunch hall, where Daniel takes twice as long as his peers to finish eating
• The after-school art club, where Amy's remarkable attention to detail tells its own story

These daily observations from staff often provide the vital pieces of information needed to build a complete picture of a pupil's needs.

Beyond the Classroom

Recently, a primary school in Yorkshire shared how their midday supervisor's observation about a pupil never joining skipping games, despite watching intently, led to a crucial investigation of motor skills and, ultimately, appropriate support.

Another secondary school's receptionist noticed a Year 8 pupil consistently arriving early, spending time organising and reorganising their bag in the reception area. When shared with the SENCO, this pattern contributed significantly to understanding the pupil's needs around transitions and routines - information that might never have emerged in the classroom alone.

Schools frequently tell us that such insights from support staff prove invaluable in early identification. What patterns might your support staff be noticing?

Building Your Response-Ready Team

During our school visits and training sessions, SENCOs often ask how to capture these valuable observations effectively. The most successful schools we work with emphasise that it's not about creating additional paperwork - it's about fostering an environment where every staff member feels valued and confident in sharing what they notice.

What approaches do we see working well in schools?

• Creating a culture where every observation is valued - site managers often notice fascinating patterns in how pupils navigate the school environment
• Developing simple but effective ways to share concerns - many schools are finding success with quick digital logging systems
• Establishing clear next steps - the most effective schools ensure all staff know exactly what to do when they spot something
• Building confidence through shared learning - whole-school SEND awareness training consistently shows positive impact

Moving Forward Together

SENCOs tell us that their most effective early intervention strategies stem from creating regular opportunities for all staff to share their observations. Many are now implementing termly check-ins with lunchtime teams and providing structured observation tools for teaching assistants.

Remember, schools repeatedly demonstrate how every member of their community contributes valuable insights. That observation from the PE coach or lunchtime supervisor often provides the crucial context needed for effective support.

Questions to Consider:

• How do you currently gather observations from all staff members?
• What barriers might prevent some staff from sharing their insights?
• Which communication channels work best in your setting?
• How could you enhance your whole-school approach to SEND awareness?

The schools we support consistently show that effective SEND provision relies not just on specialist expertise, but on nurturing a community where everyone recognises and embraces their role in supporting pupils with SEND.

Next Steps

Consider starting with these manageable actions:

1. Use our SEND audit template to review your current observation systems and identify areas for development
2. Survey your support staff - what barriers do they face in sharing concerns?
3. Review your training needs - could your midday supervisors benefit from understanding specific indicators to watch for?

OLT is here to support you in developing these whole-school approaches. Whether you need help with staff training, observation systems, or creating effective communication channels, our team can provide targeted support tailored to your setting.

Get in Touch

To explore how we can help strengthen your whole-school approach to SEND:

• Book a call with our team
• Enquire about our SEND training packages for Schools, MAT's and LA's.