Process Model

How clinicians support students in school 

Clinical Support Services (CSS) provides specialized support in the areas of School Social Work, School Psychology, Speech/Language Pathology, Clinical Reading, and Audiology to students, teachers, and families in Winnipeg School Division.

Clinicians provide a depth and breadth of specialized knowledge about a wide range of developmental, academic, behavioural, communicative, and hearing functioning. Clinicians have a deep commitment to every child and are dedicated to increasing access to services and supports, removing barriers to achievement, and promoting student success.

The relationship and communication among the student, family, and classroom teacher are foundational to student learning. Our support is intended to enhance student learning (literacy and numeracy), social/emotional health and well-being, and communication.

It is not unusual for students to need additional help and support during their time in school. In a typical year, approximately 3,000 Winnipeg School Division students are seen by CSS Clinicians on an individual basis. In addition, clinicians also see students in small groups or support them through classroom-based interventions.

Our goals include:

• facilitating student achievement
• supporting student independence
• increasing student access to resources

Addressing your child's needs may take a variety of forms:

• Consulting informally with the classroom teacher and offering suggestions for use in the classroom
• Connecting with parents and making informal recommendations
• Working with students in small groups on activities targeted to specific needs
• Drawing upon other divisional (for example, Inclusion Support Services) or community-based resources (for example, MATC, WRHA)
• Conducting a specialized clinical assessment
• Providing specialized intervention based on the results of the assessment (this will typically be documented in a plan developed by the school team to meet the child's needs)

If you are concerned about your child's academic progress, social/emotional functioning, or communication skills, please begin the conversation with their teacher. Teachers are supported in schools by School Support Teams that typically include the Principal (and Vice Principal), Resource Teacher, Special Education Resource Teacher, Counsellors, and Clinicians. The school team works to address concerns at the earliest opportunity.

Parents are included in planning for their child in all steps of the process. This occurs through reporting, parent/teacher meetings, and direct contact with clinical staff. Parents will be contacted and asked for their consent before a clinician begins to work with their child in a small group or begins a specialized assessment. When this work is done, parents will be involved in discussing next steps.