Guidelines for using specialist support services

In Staffordshire, all children and young people in mainstream schools with a working diagnosis/diagnosis of Autism Spectrum can be referred to the support from the Autism Outreach Team when the diagnosis is received.  The level of support given to the school is needs based and can range from telephone contact to more regular school visits.  Support can be given to school in all 3 areas of provision – Whole School Responsibilities, Quality First Teaching and SEN Support in School.

It is the school’s responsibility to ensure that there is evidence that advice and recommendations have been disseminated to all relevant staff, and that they are implemented as part of the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle.

School staff ensure that any other outside agencies that are used are accredited and are able to provide useable advice and strategies to improve the child’s learning needs.

Depending on the level of the child/young person’s needs, other outside agencies may be involved from Health, Social Care or the private sector. In these cases, a multidisciplinary approach is needed so information is shared, interventions and additional support is agreed and specialist advice is implemented within the school’s interventions.

If the child or young person requires the support of outside agencies for learning, language or SEMH needs please refer to other relevant sections for more details.