How to complete the child monitoring tool.
Completing the child monitoring tool
Use a separate sheet for each child.
Complete the profile by starting in the first box of attention and listening and highlighting each of the statements that the child can do. Continue down the profile until you get to a point where the child's functioning is just emerging in one of the boxes, ie, only one or two statements are achieved or the box has more statements unachieved than achieved.
Do this for each of the four language areas.
Bear in mind that you may not have all information at your fingertips. You may need to ask other practitioners, parents, and even set up situations in order to observe and assess whether a child has a particular skill or not. One observation will not be sufficient, you will need to gather evidence over time, approximately a week so that you can re-assess 12 weeks later.
Remember, in order for a child to be judged successful and secure in any area you really should be able to observe the behaviour on three consecutive occasions in different situations.
Remember when you are assessing receptive language:
- The child should understand the verbal instruction only.
- Don't point with hands, fingers or eyes, (be aware of this as it is difficult not to unwittingly assist the child).
- Don't judge receptive language ability at routine times of the day when a child knows what is expected and can follow the lead of other children. For example, if you say to a child go and fetch your coat we are going outside to play and it is at a time when all other children are getting their coats on, you may well have gestured towards the coat or outdoor area, then you cannot assume the child understands any of the sentence at all. In order to be sure a child has understood this instruction you would need to ask it at a time when the child does not normally fetch his coat, when no other children are getting their coats on and without eye, hand or finger pointing, looking straight at the child, giving no added clues.
Making a judgement
For each language area you have to make a judgement whether the child is 'as expected', 'ahead' or 'at risk of delay'.
Considering the child's chronological age, is he secure in the relevant language developmental box and all others leading up to it? If so, he is secure and operating 'as expected'. If he has some statements highlighted from a higher age-band he may be 'ahead'.
Considering the child's chronological age, does he have no statements highlighted which are appropriate for his age? If so, he is 'at risk of delay'.
When to complete the child monitoring tool
Initial concerns
If you, parents or other practitioners have concerns in relation to either language or behaviour.
Tracking progress
We are advising that following your first set of observations and information gathering from parents and others, that you plan to use the profile again approximately 12 weeks later.
Showing impact
By spreading the observation and information gathering over 12 weeks it should provide ample opportunity to see progress and impact of your early intervention strategies.
Referring on
If after two to three months you are seeing little or no progress after you have implemented some of the early intervention ideas, you should consider referral to SLT with parental consent. You will also have the evidence to support the possible application for access to further services.
What to do next if the child is 'at risk of delay'
At certain points in each section you will see checkpoint statements. These are to be particularly noted. If a child is not achieving these it is definitely time to begin gathering additional information, extra observations, talking to parents and others. It does not mean they are delayed for certain as there is a wide range of normal development in children, but it does mean it is now time to begin observing and monitoring much more closely to check for progress.
Put in place early intervention strategies.
Speech and language therapy messages.
If showing an uneven development then refer.
If showing signs that at risk of delay at checkpoints: put in place early intervention strategies. If the child continues to make no progress after approximately two to three months then refer as follows:
Alfreton and south
Consult the referral process
If unsure always ring for advice or reassurance:
- Amber Valley tel: 01773 525079.
- South Derbyshire tel: 01283 818073.
- Derbyshire Dales tel: 01335 230027.
- Erewash and Ilkeston tel: 0115 9512304.
- Long Eaton and Sandiacre tel: 0115 8554076.
Alfreton and north
Don't send referrals by email as they will be blocked due to confidentiality. They need to be sent by post to:
Children's SLT
The Den
Chesterfield Royal Hospital
Calow
Chesterfield
S44 5BL
They will be logged by our admin team and sent on to the relevant SLT.
We cover the localities of Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, North Dales and High Peak, excluding Glossop.
For enquiries please contact the admin team tel: 01246 514509.