We offer support to all Children and Young People who have identified social communication difficulties or autism. Evidence of this would usually come from a relevant professionals such as: Ryegate Children’s Centre Communication Clinic Team; Local CAMHS team; Educational Psychologist; Clinical Psychologist; Speech & Language Therapist
Autism Team: Transition Support
All Children and Young People who are moving between schools or starting school will have support from the team. Once we know of a child or young person we make contact at each transition. All parents of school starters receive support materials and a visit from a member of the team. Schools SENCO’s have responsibility to plan for transitions and we contact them to make sure good support plans are in place.
Drop-in sessions for parents/carers
We are beginning to offer sessions across Sheffield City where parents can book to have short, 40 minute, conversations with members of the team in confidence. These are advertised locally and within schools in the area.
Autism Team: Intensive Support
The Autism team provides intensive support to schools on a targeted basis. The aim of this support is to stabalise situations where a child who experiences social communication difficulties is particularly vulnerable or where their school placement is at risk.
Typically intensive support will involve an initial discussion of a request with one of the team’s teachers. If there is agreement to the request for support and the school have gained parental consent a package of support will be set up. An agreement document will be completed to formalise the support and expectations.
Currently three types of support packages are available:
Package A:
- Teacher consultation
- School visit from teacher offering:
- Pupil observation
- Support and advice
- Appropriate resources
- Evaluation/review of support
Package B: Regular support
- Initial teacher visit/consultation
- Key worker identified by the school to liaise with the team
- Specialist Teaching Assistant to make 2-3 visits to model key strategies with Key Worker
- Evaluation/review of support
Package C: Intensive support
- Initial teacher visit/consultation
- Contract agreed between school, parent and autism team
- Key worker identified by the school to liaise with the team
- Specialist Teaching Assistant to make weekly visits to model key strategies with Key Worker
- Evaluation/review of support
Package D: Outreach from The Rowan School
- Initial consultation by the Rowan School with relevant support services including the Autism team, Educational Psychology and the Locality SEND Manager;
- Initial assessment visit by The Rowan School leading to either a) a report setting out general advice, guidance and signposting or b) an action plan and on-going support being put in place.
- The action plan could include: additional support, advice and guidance as part of annual reviews of EHC Plans; a limited number of respite places at Rowan School for bespoke plans, usually between two and six weeks; Individualised support for a pupil in a mainstream school for a fixed period of time, focusing on support for staff as agreed via an action plan and including a clear, planned exit strategy; Work shadowing at The Rowan School to support the upskilling of mainstream school staff
Packages of support will normally be reviewed on a six weekly basis.
The capacity of the team to respond in this way is limited. Because of this the following indicators of need will be used to inform judgements about whether a service can be offered.
Indicators of need
Information and evidence is available which indicates a Child/Young Person who has identified social communication difficulties is:
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At imminent risk of exclusion. Normally this will mean they have had at least two incidents which have led to fixed term exclusions in the current academic year.
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Demonstrating very high levels of stress and anxiety and has been referred to CAMHS and/or the Clinical Psychology Team at Ryegate Children’s Centre.
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A Child Looked After by the Local Authority and there is a high level of concern shared by the social worker and school staff about how well the school can meet their needs.
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A Child/Young Person on the Child Protection register and there is a high level of concern shared by the social worker and school staff about how well the school can meet their needs.
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There is a request from the Local Authority for support from the team which will contribute to a multi-agency response to supporting a Child/Young Person.
The Team has an open access policy. We can be contacted by parents/carers and professionals on:
Autism Team tel: 0114 2506800 email: moira.bolan@sheffield.gov.uk
Or Autism Team Support Line Tel: 0114 2506800
How to make a request for intensive support
Requests for Intensive support are open to anyone who has a concern that may meet the indicators.
Parents will be be asked for consent for their child to receive support. The school /setting should share visit records of any involvement team members have with their Child/Young Person. All our records contain a reminder for the school or setting that this is our expectation. We also attend reviews to give direct feedback and provide evidence of progress.
The team focusses on school support but does provide materials and advice to parents. Usually this would be part of the co-ordinated approach from all services working with the family.
The Team began offering Cygnet parent training courses in April 2014. This is a parenting support programme for parents and carers of children and young people aged 7 to 18 years with an autistic spectrum condition.
The Cygnet programme is delivered over 6 sessions by 2 trainers. The group is ideally no more than 12 parents and carers. Each session last between 2 and half to 3 hours. A follow up session is offered 3 months after session 6