Devon’s Educational Psychology Service is leading a pilot project using AV1s to help students who have challenges or worries about attending school. We will use special robots called AV1s to help students engage with school. The AV1 robot will be in the classroom and individual children will be watching via an app linked to a tablet or phone. AV1s are made by a company called ‘No Isolation’.
They have produced lots of films about AV1s which are available on Vimeo.
We hope that this project will help children and young people increase their engagement and attendance at school, little by little, in a way that feels safe and manageable for the child. This is a ‘step-by-step’ approach or graded exposure. The child’s views and experiences will be at the centre of the planning for this approach.
Currently, this project is being piloted across Devon within five secondary schools, with sixteen children and young people participating. This will be running between January 2025 and July 2025, with an evaluation published before the end of the next school year.
If you would like to find out more information about the AV1 Project, please contact the Educational Psychology Service: educate.educationalpsychologycentral-mailbox@devon.gov.uk