Wigan Schools’ Outreach Service
Hope School and College is proud to have a number of highly skilled and experienced staff who provide outreach support to schools across the Wigan borough. Working under the guidance of the Wigan Outreach Service Provider, our staff share specialist knowledge, advice, and practical strategies to help mainstream and specialist settings meet the needs of pupils with SEND. This collaborative approach helps to build inclusive practice, develop staff confidence, and improve outcomes for children and young people across the borough.
About the Service
The Schools’ Outreach Service is delivered by Wigan’s special schools, working in close partnership with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Service (SENDS) and the Educational Psychology Service (EPS). Together, we are committed to driving positive change and strengthening the inclusion of children and young people with SEND across mainstream settings in Wigan.
Our service exists to build the confidence and capability of mainstream schools and settings so that every child with SEND can thrive. We bring specialist expertise directly into your school, working alongside your staff to develop practical, sustainable strategies tailored to the needs of your pupils.
The service is available to mainstream schools and settings where a child or young person has complex needs and where specialist short-term advice would make a meaningful difference to how they are supported day to day.
What We Offer
Our team of specialists provides:
- Tailored advice and guidance on supporting individual pupils
- Practical strategies and classroom resources
- Coaching and mentoring for school staff
- Whole-school professional development
- Joint working with families and external professionals
- Short-term targeted interventions to build capacity
- Tuesday Toolkit Training Days
- Training Throughout the Year
We offer Tuesday Toolkit Training Days throughout the year — practical, hands-on professional development sessions open to staff from mainstream schools and settings across Wigan. Each session is designed to give you immediately applicable tools, strategies and insights to better support children and young people with SEND in your setting.
Topics are tailored to current need and may include communication strategies, sensory processing, behaviour as communication, and much more. Sessions are delivered by experienced specialist educators in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
Visit the Wigan Council website for details of upcoming dates and how to book a place for your team.
Who Can We Help?
We work with schools and settings that have children whose needs are complex and where specialist guidance would support staff to provide a better learning experience. We can offer support for children and young people with needs in the following areas:
Area of Need Detail
Cognition & Learning Children presenting with complex learning needs, profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), or significant barriers to accessing the curriculum.
Communication & Interaction Children with communication and interaction difficulties, including those with a diagnosed Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), who need adapted approaches to engage and communicate effectively.
Physical & Medical Needs Children with severe and long-term physical or medical needs who require specialist knowledge and environmental adaptations to access education safely and fully.
Social, Emotional & Mental Health Children experiencing severe and long-term emotional, social or behavioural difficulties, where a trauma-informed, specialist approach can help them feel safe and supported in school.
How to Access the Service
Accessing the Schools’ Outreach Service is straightforward:
Make a Referral — Contact us directly or speak to your SENCO. We will discuss the child’s needs and the support your school is looking for.
Initial Consultation — One of our specialists will meet with you to understand the context and agree a focused plan of support.
Specialist Support — We work with your staff, and where appropriate the child and family, to deliver tailored advice and interventions.
Review & Next Steps — We review progress together and agree any further steps, ensuring your school is equipped to sustain the support independently.
Get in Touch
For more information about the Schools’ Outreach Service, Tuesday Toolkit Training Days, and how to access support for your school, please visit the Wigan Council Services for Schools page.