Contents
Overview
A Joint Assessment Meeting (JAM) forms part of the psychological advice that is required for statutory assessment (Educational Health Care (EHC) needs assessment). A JAM is facilitated by an Educational Psychologist.
Aim of a JAM
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 0-25 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
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/ setting. It is imperative that relevant school staff (e.g., SENDCo, tutor, teacher) attend for the whole meeting.
- You do not need to prepare anything to bring to the meeting. However, you may wish to bring written information or reports to refer to during the meeting which you feel may help inform a view of the child/young person’s strengths and needs.
During the meeting
During the meeting we hope to co-produce a view of:
- The child or young person’s aspirations and views towards education.
- Their parents’ aspirations for them and their views about their education.
- The child/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
Next steps
When a child in your school/setting requires a JAM, a member of the Educational Psychology Service will contact you to arrange a date for the meeting. School can help to support this process by:
- Contacting parents, teachers and other professionals with the date of the joint assessment meeting and providing them with invitations to inform them of the process (these will be supplied to you).
- Organising a suitable room for the meeting that enables confidential conversations and is large enough for all to meet comfortably and contribute their views. 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.