City Connects Programme

City Connects is a comprehensive system of student supports available in ten primary schools in the NEIC and is supported by a number of Government departments and the NEIC Programme Implementation Board.

The aim of City Connects is to ensure that each and every student receives all the services and resources they need in order to succeed and thrive.   It does not target specific students or groups of students within a school – it is for all students.  See our video below for further details. 

City Connects provides extra supports for students by looking at each child’s individual strengths and needs across different aspects of their life and then matching each student with a support or service, either in the school or within their community.  Each year, every child receives an individual, personalised plan with a tailored set of supports and enrichment opportunities to build on their strengths and address any particular needs they may have, to help them succeed and thrive, both in school and beyond. 

Review, Plan and Follow Up

1. Review

   With parental permission, and in collaboration with school staff, the City Connects Co-Ordinator leads a comprehensive discussion about every child’s strengths and needs across four developmental domains: Academics, Social/Emotional/Behavioural, Health and Family.

2. Plan

   When a child’s strengths and needs are identified, the City Connects Co-Ordinator makes recommendations to teachers and families/caregivers about a potential set of services and enrichment activities tailored to the child’s needs, abilities and interests. A core aspect of the Co-Ordinator’s role is to develop and maintain partnerships with community-based organisations that provide an array of services.

3. Follow-Up

   To evaluate the effectiveness of referrals, the City Connects Co-Ordinator communicates regularly with parents/caregivers, school staff, and service providers and reviews a child’s plan every 6-8 weeks.