Thrive
At Salfords we use the Thrive approach which provides a powerful way of working with children and young people that supports optimal social and emotional development.
What is the Thrive Approach?
The Thrive Approach allows adults to support children in a targeted way to help them be emotionally and socially ready for life.
Based on the latest research in neuroscience, attachment theory and child development, Thrive allows licensed practitioners to assess gaps in a child's development and plan to support the child in acquiring the social and emotional skills they need.
Equally, Thrive is used throughout the school to plan for whole class development and helps to create positive relationships and interactions between peers. An initial class assessment enables class teachers to identify particular strands to work on, such as how to have different opinions without falling out or how to recognise when someone is unhappy or upset.
We currently have three licensed Thrive practitioners at Salfords; Mrs Regnard, Mrs Peyton, Mrs Withers (SENCO) and Mrs Read.
As a school we recognise the value in preparing children emotionally for the challenges they face in life.
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Why do we need Thrive?
Unfortunately, like all of us at some point in our lives, children may face challenges that knock them off course. What is needed then is understanding and support to get them back on track. Many children will respond to the care, understanding and support given by parents, family, friends and teachers. However, some children need a little bit extra.
What extra support can we offer?
Children who need a little bit of extra help are identified through our whole-class screening process, by class teachers, or through communication with families or outside agencies. For some children there may be an obvious reason why they need a bit of extra support. This might be bereavement, family break down or an identified medical condition such as ADHD. For others, there can be no obvious trigger to why they are finding some aspects of school and/or home life difficult.
Working closely with parents and class teachers, our Thrive Practitioner carries out full assessments of identified children's social, emotional and behavioural needs. This helps us to build a bespoke Thrive Action Plan of activities to support their needs.
What is a Thrive Action Plan?
A Thrive Action Plan is a plan of activities tailored to support a child's identified social and emotional learning targets. The activities are one-to-one and small group relational, play and arts-based activities designed to help the child feel better about himself; become more resilient and resourceful; form trusting, rewarding relationships; be compassionate and empathetic; and/or be able to overcome difficulties and setbacks.
Action Plans are shared with parents and they are encouraged to do some of the activities at home if possible. They are reviewed regularly to see the progress children have made.
So who gets Thrive?
For many children across the school, Thrive time is considered a real treat! Who wouldn't want to spend half an hour a week with the one-to-one attention of a caring adult doing play activities when the rest of their class are learning? However, we try to emphasise to everyone that Thrive is just like any other learning intervention. If children struggle with reading, we give them extra support, and it's the same with social and emotional learning, if they are struggling, they get extra support.
Everyone gets class Thrive activities (although they might not realise it); most art or sport activities are taught within the Thrive Approach. But if your child needs regular out of class Thrive time, one-to-one or in a small group, you will be consulted and asked for your input into their assessment and Action Plan.
