Craighalbert
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What services are available for my child at the Centre?
We offer a range of services including:
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Primary, secondary, and senior phase school placements.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact us. We are happy to answer your questions or arrange a visit to the Centre.
Does Craighalbert offer residential placements?
No, we are not able to provide residential placements for nursery/ school aged children/ young people.
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We do have some accommodation on-site for families travelling from out with the central belt to participate in our early intervention programmes.
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Early Intervention
I've been told my child is at high risk of developing a neurological condition; can they participate in your early intervention programme?
Yes. Please contact us to find out more.
My child does not have a diagnosis;
can they participate in your early intervention programme?
It may be possible; Please contact us to find out more.
My child has been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD); can they participate in your early intervention programme?
No; if your child has a primary diagnosis of ASD or another neurodivergent condition, e.g. ADHD/ Downs Syndrome/ Dyspraxia, Craighalbert is not the right place to provide support.
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Organisations that may be able to offer more relevant advice and support include: ADDISS; Down Syndrome Scotland; the Dyspraxia Foundation; Scottish Autism; Tourette Scotland.
My child has been diagnosed with a very rare syndrome; can they participate in your early intervention programme?
It may be possible if there is a neurological component to your child’s condition.
Please contact us to find out more.​
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How frequently do your early intervention
sessions run?
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Music Space @ Craighalbert is delivered on weekly on a Friday in blocks of 4-6 sessions.
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Water Space @ Craighalbert is delivered on approximately every third Saturday, before or after a Water Space Session.
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Play Space @ Craighalbert is delivered on approximately every third Saturday, before or after a Water Space Session.
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Knowledge Space @ Craighalbert is delivered on-line, to coincide with Water and Play Space sessions or via on-site one-off information/ Q&A sessions.
On what days/ at what times do your early intervention sessions run?
Music Space – Individual/ very small group sessions of approximately 45 minutes; Friday mornings and afternoons during school term times.
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Water and Play Space – Small groups sessions, individually or on combination; approximately every third Saturday during school term times.
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Knowledge Space – to coincide with Water and Music Space with additional on-site information and Q&A session during the normal school day approximately once per school term.
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I live in Dumfries/ Inverness; can my child participate in your early intervention programme?
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Yes, please contact us to find out more.
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Do I need to attend
with my child?
Yes; we believe that working alongside and in partnership with parents makes a huge difference!
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Please contact us to find out more.
How do I apply for my child to participate in your early intervention programme?
Please contact us. A member of the Craighalbert team will be in touch to find out more about your child's abilities and needs and identify which service(s) would best meet their and your needs
Do I need a health/ social care referral for my child to participate in your early intervention programme?
No, you can self-refer.
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Please contact us to find out more.
Where can I find information about additional services for my child?
Please visit our INFORMATION HUB for information about other agencies and organisations providing advice, guidance and support, equipment suppliers and sources of funding.
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If the information you need is not available, please contact us and a member of our team will do their best to help.
Nursery / School
​My child does not have a diagnosis; would they be eligible for a nursery/ school placement at Craighalbert?
It may be possible. Some children attending our nursery/ school have a neurological condition of unknown aetiology, a very rare neurological condition or a syndrome without a name (SWAN).
My child has been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD); would they be eligible for a nursery/ school placement at Craighalbert?
​No; if your child has a primary diagnosis of ASD or another neurodivergent condition, e.g. ADHD/ Downs Syndrome/ Dyspraxia, Craighalbert is not the right place to provide support.
​My family live in Aberdeen/ Dundee/ Perth/ Stranraer; would my child be eligible for a nursery/ school placement at Craighalbert?
Children attending our nursery/ school on a full-time basis typically live within a 45-minute journey of our Centre in Cumbernauld. It may be possible for your child to attend on a limited term and/ or partnership basis.
Please contact us to find out more.
Can I visit Craighalbert
to find out more?
Yes, whether you are a parent or professional interested in finding out more about our programmes, please contact us to find out more.
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When is the nursery/
school open?
The Centre opens at 08.00 and closes at 18.00, however our reception and administration team may not answer the telephone before 08.30 or after 16.30.
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The typical nursery and school day is Monday-Thursday 09.15-15.15 and Friday 09.15-12.15.
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Please view our HOLIDAY YEAR for information about in-service days and holiday periods.
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How do I apply for a placement for my child at Craighalbert?
A nursery/ school placement at Craighalbert is subject to:
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A detailed assessment by our multi-disciplinary team to confirm that we would be the very best place to support their abilities and learning and development needs;
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Submission of a placing request by you to the local authority in which you are resident; and
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The agreement of an individualised Placement Agreement (IPA) and associated fee with your home local authority.
Please contact us to find out more or visit ENQUIRE.
What are the travel arrangements for children attending the Centre?
Transport arrangements are agreed with your home local authority during the admission process.
Typically, the local authority will agree to financially support a parent to provide the transport or arrange a contract with a taxi company.
Please contact us to find out more.
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How are nursery/ school placements at Craighalbert reviewed?
We typically hold review and planning meetings with the parents of a child, their Craighalbert TAC (Team Around the Child) and wider multi-disciplinary team on a 6- and 12-monthly basis.
Each meeting is structured around your Child’s Plan, their profile (how they are growing and developing, what they need from the people who look after them and their wider world), their wellbeing strengths, barriers to learning and support needs, and their goals.
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Please talk to your child’s educational psychologist about any additional processes your Local Authority may have e.g. at key stage changes/ transition points in a child’s learning journey.
What does the Craighalbert assessment process involve?
We will typically invite you and your child to attend the Centre for an initial assessment lasting approx. ½ a day to enable us to confirm that Craighalbert will be the right place to meet your child’s complex communication, learning, health and care needs.
We will ask you to provide copies of recent learning, medical and therapy assessments and reports. You will both meet with members of our highly specialist multi-disciplinary team (teachers, occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapists and speech and language therapist) and have an opportunity to spend some time participating in learning activities alongside your child’s peers.
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Thereafter, our assessment process is personalised to meet the needs of each child, their family circumstances and the requirements of decision-makers, i.e. local authority/ ASN tribunal - https://healthandeducationchamber.scot/additional-support-needs/12
Where can I find information about additional services for my child?
Please visit our INFORMATION HUB for information about other agencies and organisations providing advice, guidance and support, equipment suppliers and sources of funding.
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If the information you need is not available, please contact us and a member of our team will do their best to help.
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