Yeoman Park Academy work closely with a range of therapy and medical professionals to support all children and young people who attend the academy.

Prior to starting at Yeoman Park Academy, any child with medical and/or physical needs will be invited to a multi-disciplinary team meeting, lead by the Health Lead. This meeting will explore how a child might need to be supported to attend the academy. 

Below are some of the therapies we offer at Yeoman Park

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)

Our speech and language therapists work not only with speech, but also developing the swallowing reflex and eating.

The SALT team support our children:

  • to create communication programmes, to support the development of language.
  • to develop eating and drinking programmes to support children with eating and drinking.

The team may also call on a wider service to assess children for the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This may include the use of  iPad technology or Eye Gaze. 

Communication

Communication is supported by the use of symbols and Makaton Signing. These can be used for simple communication with individuals such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). 

Physiotherapy (NHS)

An NHS team is on site for two days per week to create and deliver physiotherapy programmes. Physiotherapy is treatment to restore, maintain, and make the most of a child’s mobility, function, and wellbeing. 

Three of the main approaches a physiotherapist may use are:

  • education and advice
  • movement and exercise
  • manual therapy

The physiotherapy team may deliver:

  • hydrotherapy – the water can help relax and support the muscles and joints, while providing resistance to help children gradually get stronger.
  • rebound therapy, allowing children to stretch and bounce whilst being supported by a trampoline – this also supports movement that may be difficult for them to achieve independently. 

Occupational therapy (NHS)

Occupational therapists support children with all types of learning disabilities to help them continue with life skills, work and leisure activities and to support them in living as independently as possible.

Therapists will work with individuals, families and support workers to understand the importance of taking part in everyday activities. The therapist will looks at how a child may be supported by their seating and local environment, they may also support with a sensory diet. 

A supportive team

Class staff

Class Staff are trained by therapy teams to carry out the programmes set, so they can be delivered on a daily basis during normal classroom activities, where possible, or identified days during the week. 

Moving and handling

Our moving and handling coordinator ensures all children who use wheel chairs, standing frames, or an Acheeva are transferred safely. Each child has a safe systems of work assessment, written by a team of professionals, shared with all staff working with a child. 

Health care assistants

Health care assistants look after the day-to-day medical needs of our children. They draw up and administer medicines and follow feeding programmes. They are also able to attend to other medical issues such as stoma, button and tracheotomy care. 

Doctors

All children have at least an annual medical check-up with a paediatrician at the academy where health concerns can be discussed.