Referrals and transitions
We work closely with B&NES settings to provide support at SEN/Targeted support level where needed, which includes assessing needs and providing recommendations, support with understanding diagnosis, contributing to the EHCP process and attendance at subsequent annual reviews and multi-agency meetings.
Referral process
Education settings are able to refer young people to our service if they meet our referral criteria, which includes ensuring that strategies have been implemented at Universal Level, that settings have received the NEN (formerly AET) Making Sense of Autism training within the last two years and they have a named Autism Champion. The young person must have a diagnosis of autism and a B&NES home address.
All referrals should be completed on the SASS referral form (see below) and must be accompanied by the Agreement to Engage form (also see below)
Within the B&NES SEND System of Support, the Specialist Autism Support Service and the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service will triage all referrals and decide which service will be best suited to provide support for children and young people according to the information provided and the SASS referral criteria.
This referral may be accepted by SASS or may otherwise be re-directed to B&NES Local Authority Education Inclusion Support Services, co-ordinated by the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service. If the referral is re-directed, then the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service will make contact with the referrer to agree next steps. This is to ensure that all children and young people from B&NES are getting the right support, at the right time.
Our referral form can be downloaded here.
The Agreement to Engage form can be downloaded here.
- When a referral form is submitted we will check that all parts of the form have been completed – including the APDR section.
- If something is missing it will be returned to the education provider to complete it.
- Once complete, the referral will be processed and will be in the system. Triaging with the SASS and the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service as detailed above.
- Once referrals have been allocated to SASS they will be given to a SASS team member.
- SASS will be working in a variety of ways with settings depending on need and this could include a school or home visit, a phone call or a written report
The SASS team also provides direct, time limited support for some autistic individuals at specialist level where there is a significantly increased need for intensive support. The need for this will be assessed on an individual basis and specific support may be provided.
Transitions process
We provide transition advice and support to support autistic young people to transition successfully to their next setting.
The transitions process for summer 2027 is currently closed but will open later in the academic year.
- SASS will provide transition support in a limited number of cases where it can be shown that the child or young person will need additional support beyond good practice strategies already put in place.
- SASS has created a transitions padlet full of information on best practice which can be found here https://padlet.com/SASSBathnes/Transition
- If anyone has any queries about transition support for example for in-year transitions then please contact SASS via sass@banes-sass.com or the helpline on Thursday mornings on 01761 603106.