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

The Service is split into two different sectors - an outreach service to mainstream schools, and support in a Special School for pupils with severe learning disabilities (SLD). In the Special School, although most of the children are educated in mixed ability classes, those with autism are withdrawn on a regular basis and provided with individual support in a specifically designed provision. Some of the children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also work in small groups on their social skills. Support in the school also includes advising all staff in respect of individual pupils and delivering whole school training. The outreach service provides support for mainstream primary schools. It covers one third of the County Schools. This can be in the form of training packages, advice to SENCO's or Teaching Assistants (TAs) and teachers, or individual support to children via an ASD specialist. The type of assistance given depends on the needs of the school. All schools in the County that have pupils with an ASD are monitored by a multi-disciplinary group of professionals from early years through to school leaving age. Volunteers may be accepted to work with the pupils. The school uses the Structure, Positive (approaches and expectations), Empathy, Low arousal, Links (SPELL) framework.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability