Doncaster Council

About the Service

The Service consists of full time and part time Specialist Teachers, Specialist Professional Teaching Assistants (SPTAs) and a Home School Support Worker. The service provides support for children and young people with a medical diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in mainstream schools in Doncaster. Children do not need a statement of Special Educational Needs in order to access support.  Schools are entitled to request support from the Service if a pupil has a  medical diagnosis of ASD. The service works closely with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Area Child Health and Social Services and has developed good links with the National Autistic Society (NAS) and local voluntary organisations. 

The role of the service is to support the school in meeting the needs of the child with ASD in mainstream education.

The Service provides information, training and advice for mainstream schools and other agencies. 
There is a strong emphasis on liaison with the teacher and guidance for the LearningSupport/ Teaching Assistants. The service may suggest or demonstrate strategies that help provide access to the environment and/or the curriculum at an appropriate level. Members of the Service try to meet with the pupil at least termly and, where appropriate, will work with the child and the family. 

The Service can help families in providing information about Autistic Spectrum Disorders, by being available to meet and talk and by organising meetings. The Service also helps by liaising with other agencies and facilitating links. Discrete advice is available on strategies that might help out of school and at home.
 
The Service works for children and young people with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in mainstream schools in may ways, including:

• Provide support to the pupil using a variety of approaches 
• Offer guidance and advice to schools, including LSA support group meetings
• Liaise with parents. 
• Liaise with other agencies e.g. Speech and Language, Connexions 
• Provide in-service training and information to teaching and non-teaching staff 
• Provide accredited training for support assistants at OCN level 3 
• Contribute to target setting for annual reviews/Individual Education Plans (IEP)
• Attend annual reviews
• Provide a helpline for parents and professionals working with ASD   
• Provide accredited NAS EarlyBird courses for parents/carers
• Demonstrate good practice in supporting a pupil in a mainstream school setting
• Provide information, resources, equipment on autism
• Provide guidance and materials to develop play skills, social skills, friendships, understanding emotions, coping with change and life skills.               
• Help children and young people to make a smooth transition between classes, key stages and schools.         

Support materials produced by the Service should be available to professionals in mainstream schools.