Resources for Student Support Teams

These guidelines have been prepared by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) following pilot projects with schools in Dublin, Donegal and Cork. This document is a guide to establishing, developing or reviewing student support teams in Post­ Primary Schools and describes a way in which the resources of the school can be organised to benefit all students, and in particular those presenting with additional support needs. It is not intended as a comprehensive manual but rather as an aid in establishing a team or reviewing an existing team.

This Student Support Team Consultation Workbook aims to support teachers in post-primary schools consulting with their assigned NEPS psychologists to review or develop Student Support Teams (SSTs). The workbook can be used by an identified teacher called the ‘link teacher’ from the SST to consult, record and track progress and actions over time. It is recommended that the link teacher Consultation Workbook is used alongside the Guideline document ‘Student Support Teams in Post-Primary Schools: A Guide to Establishing a Team or Reviewing an Existing Team’ (2021).

Introduction and workbook session 1

Provision mapping is a good starting point when planning your Student Support Team (SST). It involves identifying existing supports within the school and community across all levels of the Continuum of Support (CoS). This gives both new and existing SST members a clear overview of what is currently in place. Provision maps can be organised by class, year group, CoS or by areas of needs such as social, emotional, behavioural and learning, or a combination of these. Supporting documents are provided below to help develop your schools provision map.

Key Skills and Effective Practice

Solution Focused questions examplesThe sample questions below are designed to guide structured solution focused conversations during SST meetings. They can help SST teams clarify concerns, identify desired outcomes and plan actionable next steps, that focuses on constructing solutions, rather than analysing possible causes.

SST meeting record template blank – sample

Effective record keeping is essential for the successful running of a Student Support Team (SST). The Student Support meeting record and template is provided below. This template is designed to support structured discussions, record key actions and ensure follow-up on agreed actions and next steps.

SST'S 6 Steps in Problem Solving Model & Suggested Strategies summary form

A problem solving approach ensures that SST meetings are purposeful, student centered, and action-oriented which help guide the team from clearly defining the concerns to identifying the preferred solutions and next steps. Temples are provided below to help SST teams document suggested strategies and actions at each step of the process.