Progressing Disability Services (PDS)
Recent updates on Progressing Disability Services can be found on the St. Michael's House website:
https://www.smh.ie/services/children/progressing-disability-services/
With the roll out of Progressing Disability Services (PDS) a School Age Disability Team (SADT) is assigned to look after the clinical needs of the pupils in our school. The pupils receive Clinical supports based on the school address (not their home address). This SADT may include a Physiotherapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist and Social Worker. A Dietician and Paediatrician work alongside this team.
In order for a pupil to access support and input from a member of the SADT, a referral needs to be made by Parents, Teachers, Class Nurse, School Principal, Paediatrician or a member of the SADT. There is a SADT Manager who meets with the team to discuss all referrals, prioritise and determine whether they are for one specific clinician to address or for a number of clinicians to address together (i.e. an Inter-disciplinary approach).
Teachers, nurses and members of the SADT work closely together to ensure that relevant information is shared and that the expertise of all professionals involved is coordinated in the best interests of pupils. This ensures that education and health care plans are integrated for pupils both at home and in school and that these plans are assessed and reviewed on a regular basis.
Parents may request to meet some members of the SADT at their child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) / Learning Profile meeting early in the school year. In the case that parents have any particular concerns, they are encouraged to make direct contact with individual members of their child's SADT, the SADT Manager or make a referral to the SADT for support.
There is a SADT Referral Form attached.
SAT 2 Referral Form December 2020.doc