Autism and EY intervention team

The Specialist Service comprises of the Outreach and Training Service - Westminster Special Schools (Westminster) and the Autism and Early Years Intervention Team (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea).

They support children and young people with an Autistic Spectrum condition (ASC) and deliver advice and support for schools and parents, enabling them to meet the needs of children with a diagnosis of autism.

Westminster: The FWSS Westminster Training and Outreach Service supports all children and young people with a diagnosis of autism who attend Westminster state-maintained schools.

RBKC: The Autism and Early Years Intervention Team supports children and young people with autism within schools and nurseries within RBKC. Input is also provided for private, voluntary and independent nurseries. Within the Foundation Stage, input can be provided for any children with any special educational need.

How they work: The team works in Early Years settings, primary schools and secondary schools in the respective boroughs in order to fully include children with ASC in mainstream settings and fulfil their learning potential and social communication skills. This includes autistic spectrum condition (ASC); Asperger’s Syndrome; Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

In school input may consist of:

• Observations - providing feedback and suggested strategies for use in the classroom
• Modelling approaches and team teaching
• Triage sessions for teachers / LSAs to discuss issues
• Transition support
• Advice on differentiated resources
• Crisis intervention
• Advice on adapting the physical environment / audit of provision
• Support for students to understand their diagnosis
• Liaising with other agencies
• Bespoke training for schools
• Training at the Queen Elizabeth II Special School or Kensington Town Hall

Support for parents:

• Parental training - Parents’ Autism Awareness Course (PAAC)– for under 5s and over 5s; Puberty and Relationships; Support for Siblings
• Parents’ Coffee Mornings
• Parents of girls with autism support group
• Home visits (where appropriate)
• Liaison with Full of Life (RBKC) and Make it Happen (Westminster)

Referrals:

Referrals can be made by:

• Health professionals
• Schools or Early Years’ settings
• PVI settings (in RBKC)
• Parents / carers
• Local authorities
• Social Service / Early Help

Make referrals by emailing:

RBKC: [email protected]

Westminster: [email protected]