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Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme (PINS)

Last updated on 08 May 2025
Hertfordshire County Councilby Hertfordshire County Council

Partnerships for inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools programme (PINS) is a DFE funded programme which was launched in March 2024. 

The aims of the programme set out by DFE are as follows: 

  • Help shape whole school SEND provision
  • Provide early interventions at a school level
  • Upskill school staff
  • Support strengthening of partnerships between schools and parent carers Hertfordshire partook in PINS during 2024/25 which bought together SEND commissioning (HCC), SEND Specialist Advisory Service (SENDSAS) colleagues, Herts Parent Carer Involvement (HPCI) and colleagues from Integrated Care Board (ICB) to deliver year one of the programme to 24 mainstream primary schools

SENDSAS delivery to school staff was through a very personalised approach depending on individual school requirements determined by schools completing a self-evaluation form.

Below are just a few of the topics that were covered in their delivery:

  • Adaptive teaching
  • Environmental adaptations and provision
  • Communication and language in the primary classroom
  • Whole school sensory awareness and provision Our Hertfordshire parent/carer representatives supported the strengthening of partnerships between schools and parent/carers

This included focus groups with parent/carers, along with feedback sessions to individual school Senior Leadership Teams. 

The 24 schools who took part in the programme feel the programme made a real impact on their settings, children and young people and their families.

We received some wonderful feedback from school staff, families and children and young people on how the programme has benefited them. 

Please see below some of the feedback received:

“Improved staff attitudes, positive parent feedback. Recent Ofsted visit the inspector commented upon pupil empathy to others and overall SEN vision which was largely shaped by PINS.”

“We have implemented so many changes through the PINS programme. 

In today’s session I have added a further 10 so this will become a 3 year plan!” “We have noticed an increase in pupil engagement and regulation due to 2 x day sensory circuits” “I’m enjoying sensory circuits because the calming bit helps me ready to learn, I think the sensory circuit helps me ready to learn.” “ Improved staff attitude and positive parent feedback” “It was very useful as it opened the doorway for a parental group to be set up.

The PINS programme is now continuing into a second year, and we are looking to deliver to a new cohort of 18 primary schools. 

The programme will be run like year 1 where schools will be expected to undertake the equivalent of 5 days (37 hours) training/support. 

In Hertfordshire this will look like:

  • 3 days face to face training delivered to 2 key staff members (SENCO, SLT etc)
  • Online training around mental health aimed at (all school staff)
  • Parent/Carer involvement sessions 
  • The opportunity to work alongside an expert by experience
  • Additional support, specific to your school, based on your PINS action plan
  • Access to additional training for whole school, key groups or individual staff

The programme of delivery will commence September 2025 and run until the end of March 2026.

If you would like to be considered for participation in Year 2 of the PINS programme then please email your interest to Kim Sciara by 30th May 2025. In doing so and if selected to partake you understand all elements of the training are to be undertaken and you welcome the support of our parent carer forum to work with your school and your parent carers. 

If you would like to find out further information, please email kim.sciara@hertfordshire.gov.uk