As a practitioner/professional, you can consult with a Home Visiting Teacher at any time to discuss their role and potential involvement. Their role may include strategic work with staff, focused on child development related to additional support topics or direct work with a child. Home Visiting Teachers can work directly with families of children with additional support needs at home from birth to three. The service can also support the child’s transition into Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings. Requests for direct involvement with a child MUST have the full agreement of the parents/carers who have parental responsibilities.

To find out more about the Home Visiting Teacher role download a copy of our service leaflet which includes some frequently asked questions.

Request for involvement

Requests for direct support for a child ideally should be made through the Child’s Plan process where an assessment of the child’s needs suggests that there might be a role for a Home Visiting Teacher. However, it is recognised that there may not be a Child’s Plan in place at this early stage as the Home Visiting Teacher may be the first other professional to become involved. An initial consultation or discussion with the Home Visiting Teacher is generally beneficial to discuss what would be most helpful.

You can contact us by phone 01463 644 400 or by email highlandcouncilpsychologicalservice@highland.gov.uk

Concerns to consider and mention in the request:

  • What is the presenting issue(s) and how is this impacting on the child and others.
  • What behaviours have been observed and/or are causing concern.
  • Is there any relevant information from developmental assessments which can be shared. (ASQs, Developmental Overviews, assessments, etc.)
  • Other important information to consider and include
    • Who else is involved with the child?
    • What has already been tried in terms of support/intervention?
    • What outcome would you hope for?

‘Just Ask’

Where there is no current involvement of a Home Visiting Teacher, but you have a query about a child’s development, you can access a Home Visiting Teacher through the ‘Just Ask’ enquiry line. This enquiry line is available every Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 4pm, for all Highland children, young people, parents, carers and those who work with them. Call us on 0300 303 1365. Please note, this is not a route to requesting involvement, for this you should follow the process outlined above. If you already have involvement of a Home Visiting Teacher, please direct your query to them.