Clinical Overview

At Castle Garden School, the clinical model is an integral part of our whole‑school approach, ensuring that every child learns within a therapeutic, neurodiversity‑affirming environment. Our transdisciplinary team works alongside education staff to create a cohesive, reflective and evidence‑informed culture that supports each pupil’s wellbeing, communication, sensory needs and overall development.

Key Principles

1. Multiprofessional Expertise

Our clinical offer is delivered by a team that includes:

• Creative Psychotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Clinical Leads
• Skilled SEN educators working in partnership with clinicians

This team collaborates daily with class staff to ensure joined‑up, individualised support for each child.

2. Evidence‑Based and Reflective Practice

The clinical model is rooted in:

• Ask Accept Develop (AAD): recognising every child’s strengths, communication style and needs.
• Trauma‑Informed Practice (TIP): understanding the impact of trauma and supporting emotional safety.
• 3 C’s Approach: Connect, Co‑Regulate, Co‑Reflect—with a particular focus, as a new school, on building strong connections and co‑regulation.

Reflective working practices ensure staff continuously adapt to pupils’ emerging needs.

3. Sensory‑ and Communication‑Friendly Environments

Pupils benefit from:

• Sensory‑friendly classrooms
• Multimodal communication approaches that value all forms of expression
• Access to new and exciting sensory spaces, including the Soft Play area (The Reef) and the state‑of‑the‑art Sensory Room (The Cove)

These spaces create opportunities for regulation, exploration and therapeutic support within the school day.

4. A Flexible and Tiered Clinical Offer

Castle Garden’s clinical model is designed to be responsive and personalised:

• All Support: A therapeutic culture embedded across the school for all pupils.
• Group Support: Short‑term, focused input for groups of children with shared needs.
• Individual Support: Time‑limited, direct clinical interventions delivered by one or more clinicians, enabling consolidation and meaningful progress.

This tiered structure ensures that every child receives the right level of support at the right time.

5. Parent, Carer and Family Involvement

Families are seen as vital partners.
The clinical and education teams work together to offer:

• Workshops for parents and carers
• Opportunities to learn consistent strategies used in school
• Regular communication and collaboration

This strengthens the home–school partnership and promotes continuity for the child.

6. Professional Development and Innovation

Ongoing training ensures all staff are equipped with up‑to‑date, evidence‑informed practice.
The model is supported by:

• Continuous professional development
• Transdisciplinary working
• A research, innovation and development focus within the wider organisation
• The Clinical Excellence Framework to maintain consistency and quality