The Haven is a brand new facility on our Tenzing Road site,  which opened in September 2019 accessible for all primary aged children within the Dacorum area.  The model of service delivery aligns with the Tiered Approach outlined in the Hertfordshire Behaviour Strategy, with outreach support at Tiers 2 and 3 and provision within The Haven at Tiers 4 and 5. In line with best practice, the large majority of the work undertaken focuses on early intervention and prevention of escalation.

This new facility will offer enhanced opportunities to utilise the environment to provide a rich variety of learning opportunities, both inside and outdoors. The accommodation will provide two learning spaces and we are planning to ensure these spaces can be used as flexibly as possible to meet the needs of every pupil accessing the provision. There is a secure outside space, including a covered area, which will facilitate outdoor learning opportunities. 

Staff in The Haven and in the outreach team have a wide range of additional training, qualifications and expertise including, Hertfordshire Steps Tutor Training, Mindfulness in Schools (MISP) Training, Protective Behaviours, Brief Therapy, Drawing & Talking, ELKLAN, Zones of Regulation, Nurture, Autism Education Trust Training, Lego Therapy, UK Penn Resilience and Counselling Skills. In addition, learners have access to support from a range of professionals with qualifications in therapeutic approaches through the wider DESC team e.g. Counsellors, CBT Therapists, Drawing and Talking Practitioner, Therapeutic Support Worker and Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs). 

A holistic approach to learning is used by staff to ensure learners emotional, social and academic needs are addressed. The curriculum is delivered using an individualised approach based on the interests of each pupil and incorporating a range of practical, creative and sensory learning approaches with regard to the principles of child development contained within the EYFS and the requirements of the National Curriculum. Delivery of the curriculum is specifically tailored to the individual needs of each learner and this can take place in a variety of contexts, including 1:1, paired or small group. 

Learners supported on outreach and accessing The Haven have a range of needs within the area of SEMH, including attachment difficulties and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) resulting in trauma and social communication difficulties. In addition, many learners have learning needs including specific learning difficulties and speech and language needs. Members of staff are working on developing a system to identify individual areas of need within the overarching category of SEMH in order to further improve monitoring, tracking and reporting outcomes for individual learners and to enable more detailed analysis of the impact of service delivery.