Autism Support Centres - seeking primary school hosts in Essex

Wednesday 7th March 2012

At the last round of Area Development Group meetings in January Rebecca Lancaster, SEN Provision Development Officer, presented proposals for Autism Support Centres in four Primary schools across Essex. The model is based on the enhanced provisions for speech, language and communication difficulties and hearing impairment. Access to the mainstream curriculum with support is the primary aim for children on the autism spectrum who may otherwise struggle or fail in mainstream schools. Children should have a statement of SEN with autism as the main category of need and be of a mainstream ability. Please see the proposal and service specification for more information.

The primary school provisions will host up to eight children, ideally with an even spread across each year group. There will be a teacher in charge of running the provision, managing skilled LSAs and delivering training in the host school and other schools in the ECC area which require it. The teacher in charge will need to have the relevant training or be willing to obtain it once in the post.

The basic requirement of interested schools is to have at least one classroom in the heart of the school where the support centre will be based for children to complete group/individual work towards IEP and statement targets.

Given the increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism, plans to implement these support centres are an investment for the future and enable schools to be equipped to manage and support an increased cohort of children with ASD.

Schools will need to apply formally. Additional information from School Improvement, Statutory Assessment and other relevant SCF departments will be gathered to decide on the suitability of the schools.

The intention is to open the ASCs in September 2013.

Please contact Rebecca Lancaster rebecca.lancaster@essex.gov.uk or 01245 435151 who will welcome your expression of interest and supply details of how to apply.

Pam Langmead