Introduction
Emily Rubin, one of the co-founders of SCERTS an assessment and intervention framework, has been working with Somerset colleagues across Education, Health and Care to understand, implement and embed this model. She has also provided support sessions for parent carers explaining SCERTS in action and how it can benefit their children.
What is SCERTS and how does it work?
SCERTS is an evidence-based framework that provides guidelines for helping an individual confidently and competently connect to others in ways that are meaningful to them. Its focus is to create a positive environment for young people who are autistic or have social, emotional and mental health differences.
Guidelines are provided to enhance a learner’s active engagement. The model is designed to provide guidance for helping children to progress and provide families and schools with help to feel successful in supporting the child.
SCERTS helps families together with colleagues in Education, Health and Care to collaborate in a carefully coordinated manner.
SCERTS in action in Somerset
We have 11 SCERTS Pathfinder Schools in Somerset, who are as follows:
- Holway Park Community School, Taunton: Lucinda Hall SENDCo lucinda.hall@holwaypark.somerset.sch.uk
- Walton CofE Primary School, Taunton: Katherine Cooper katherine.cooper@waltonprimary.co.uk
- Trull CofE Primary School, Trull CofE Primary School, Taunton: Rachel Cerullo rachel.cerullo@trullschool.co.uk
- Wembdon St George’s Church School, Bridgwater: Anne Bulley, SENDCO anne.ellis@wembdon.bwmat.org
- Burnham Infant School, Burnham-on-Sea: Carly Hatch chatch@burnhaminfants.com
- St Andrews CofE Junior School, Burnham-on-Sea: Tamsin Thomson SENDCo tthomson@standrewsjuniors.co.uk
- Cheddar First School, Cheddar: Suzi Smith ssmith@cheddarfirstschool.co.uk
- Hindhayes Infants School, Street: Kate Nester, headteacher kate.nester@hindhayes.co.uk
- Croscombe Primary School, Wells: Tracy Massey, Autism and Communication Advisory Teacher tracy.masseysturgess@croscombestokefederation.co.uk
- Birchfield Community Primary School, Yeovil: Verity Walker, SENDCo vwalker@birchfieldprimaryschool.co.uk
- Ashlands CofE Primary School, Crewkerne: Kay Dawson SENDCo kdawson@ashlandsprimary.school
Their work is celebrated in the following video. The video below has been created by Emily Rubin, SCERTS co-author, with Somerset SCERTS Pathfinder Schools, Access to Inclusion Advisory Teachers and the Educational Psychology Service. It shares the ethos and impact of implementing the SCERTS framework with neurodiverse children and young people.
Please also refer to the SCERTS Training Video slides
Presentation handouts, Autumn 2023
If your school has completed the SCERTS training and would like support from one of the Pathfinder Schools, please to reach out to a school within your partnership area.
Facilitated by Emily Rubin, MS, CC-SLP, Co-author, SCERTS. Date of Report: May 18, 2023
Training courses
You can find out more information about booking future training on the SSE website for professionals. Training is FREE to the Somerset workforce and education settings. Please note, this is a cumulative training programme. If you wish to use SCERTS in your work, you must complete both Day 1 and Day 2. If you wish to become a SCERTS Champion, you must complete Days 1, 2, and 3.
SCERTS Three-day course, delivered virtually by Emily Rubin and Amy Laurent:
- Day 1 – 13 November 2024 9am – 3pm
- Day 2 – 2 December 2024 9am – 3pm
- Day 3 – 15 January 2025 9am – 3pm
Reflective Practice Sessions, for all schools who have completed Day 1 and Day 2 training days:
- 17 January 2024 1pm – 4pm
- 26 March 2024 1pm – 4pm
- 17 April 2024 1pm – 4pm
One Day training SCERTS for Secondary Students (open to Somerset Local Authority and NHS Staff only, we encourage all our middle and secondary schools as well as special schools to attend), delivered by Amy Laurent, SCERTS co-founder:
- 20 March 2024 9am – 3pm
