Type of service: Assessment, Day schools, Nursery and pre-schools, Outreach - education, Schools

The name of the unit for children with special needs is the Assessment Centre. Barlows Primary School has a specialist unit which caters for children between the ages of 3 and 7 years. Pupils who attend the unit experience difficulties with learning, communication and behaviour. A period of assessment and intervention is offered and there is a multi-agency approach to the team around the child. An increasing number of pupils have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and staff are skilled in using ASD specific teaching and communication strategies (eg Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren (TEACCH)). Assessment clarifies the future educational needs of all pupils and whether statutory assessment is appropriate. Volunteers may be accepted to work with the pupils usually via College programmes / training courses.

Aimed at: Child

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability