Joint assessment meetings: For professionals

The JAM aims to work closely with individual children and those working with and around them, such as their teachers, their parents or carers, an educational psychologist, and other professionals, to produce psychological advice for Devon County Council’s SEND Statutory Team.

This way of working allows everyone involved to develop a shared understanding of a child or young person’s needs and the support required to meet those needs.

Before the meeting, it is helpful to know:

• the meeting will be a maximum of two hours long and held at the child’s school or setting
• you may wish to bring any written information or reports to refer to during the meeting which you feel may help inform a view of the child or young person’s strengths and needs

During the meeting we hope to co-produce a view of:

• the child or young person’s aspirations and views towards education
• their parents’ or carers’ aspirations for them and their views about their education
• the child or young person’s strengths and needs (barriers to learning) – it would be useful to have your insights, particularly with reference to any assessments or work you have done with the child

Based on the aspirations heard within the meeting, collectively those present will shape clear, realistic and measurable outcomes for the child to achieve by the end of the next phase of their education.

Together, strategies and recommendations will be developed regarding the kind of educational provision which will help the child or young person to make progress and achieve their aspirations.

When a child or young person you know or are working with has a JAM, a member of staff from the school or setting or the Educational Psychology Service will be in contact with you to arrange a date for the meeting.

We appreciate your time in supporting with the development of understanding the needs, outcomes and provision for children and young people, enabling them to achieve their goals and aspirations.