Individual Support Plan Policy
October 2016
The Whitney Child Centre will ensure that an updated Individualized Support Plan (ISP) is in place for each child enrolled with special needs. The Centre will make every effort to ensure that each room’s program is structured so that it will accommodate the ISP of children with special needs while ensuring that the program is inclusive of all children.
Roles and Responsibilities
Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor
In preparation for the ISP meeting, the Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor will review available records such as program observations and documentations, reports from professionals, information from parents and staff to identify the child’s strengths and needs. This information will be compiled into a draft ISP and shared with staff and parents. After being reviewed by staff and parents the final ISP will be created. Copies will be given to staff and parents.
Staff:
Staff will give feedback to the Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor regarding the child’s needs and strengths. They will give ideas, suggestions and feedback as to strategies and effectiveness of the ISP. The staff and Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor will give feedback to parents and welcome and include input and insight from parents.
The Centre staff will implement the individualized support plan of each child with special needs.
Parent / Guardian:
The parent/guardian, in conjunction with Centre staff, will provide feedback and information to help compile the ISP. The parent will provide information provided from any outside professionals, and updates to information provided. Parents are welcome to input suggestions and advice at any time to support staff and their child.
Students / Volunteers:
All Students and Volunteers who will be interacting with a child who has an ISP will review ISPs prior to interacting with children. Volunteers and Students will take direction from staff.
Procedure:
If a special need is identified at enrolment or during the time the child is enrolled at the Whitney Child Centre, the parent/guardian will be informed about the concern and a meeting organized.
1, With the parent/guardian’s verbal agreement, the ISP process will be initiated.
2. If the parent/guardian does not consent to have an ISP in place, the parent/guardian will sign the “Consent for the refusal to the development of an Individualized Support Plan” This will be placed in the child’s record and the parents’ rights will be respected. However if the parents/guardian are not willing to work with the Centre and the child is putting himself/herself or others at risk, the child may be asked to leave the Centre.
3. In preparation for developing the ISP, the designated staff and Supervisor or Assistant Supervisor will review available records, program observations and documentations to identify the child’s strengths and needs.
4. A meeting may be scheduled with the parent/guardian. An invitation to attend the meeting, with parental consent, will be provided to any regulated health professional or other person who works with the child in a capacity that would allow the person to help inform the plan. (Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, Reg. 137/15, Section 52 (2))
5. The parent/guardian, in conjunction with the Centre staff, will complete the initial ISP form.
6. The plan will include (as per Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, Reg. 137/15, Section 52 (1))
- A description of how the Centre will support the child to function and participate in a meaningful and purposeful manner while the child is at the Centre.
- A description of any support or aids, or adaption’s or other modifications to the physical, social, and learning environment that are necessary to achieve clause (a); This may include but is not limited to environmental supports (physical space, programming activities, and transitions), staffing supports (training, attitudes and perceptions) and skill building (supervision, mentoring, and modeling).
- Instructions relating to the child’s use of the supports or aids referred to in clause (b) or, if necessary, the child’s use of or interaction with the adapted or modified environment.
7. The plan will be signed by the parent/guardian of the child to indicate their participation in the plan a copy is given to the family
8. The plan will be placed in the child’s file.
9. The strategies identified on the plan will be imbedded into the room programming. Information from the plan may be used in documentation posted in the room without identifying information.
10. The plan will be reviewed at one (1) month and six (6) months from the date of the ISP for every child that is 0-3.8 years (3 years and eight months) in age. However can be adjusted as needed. All kindergarten/school age ISP’s will be reviewed as required, but no less than annually and will involve the School Age child, when deemed appropriate.
Staff, students and volunteers will review all ISPs at least annually after the first review and at any other time when changes are made to a policy, procedure or ISP.
Centre staff will implement the individualized support plan of each child with special needs.