Training for professionals
The Specialist Autism Support Service provides training for professionals on a variety of subjects connected with autism. This training is delivered by members of the SASS team, who all have experience in understanding the needs of autistic children and young people.
For our latest overview of the training available please click here.
To book a place on any of our training courses or to ask further questions please email sass@banes-sass.com or phone the helpline on 01761 603106.
Training is offered in open sessions which anyone can book onto at The Studio, Specialist Autism Support Service, The Partnership Trust Support Services Hub, Weston All Saints CE Primary School, Broadmoor Lane, Weston, Bath BA1 4JR, Fosse Way School, Longfellow Road, Radstock BA3 3AL and online. We can also deliver training on a whole school basis where we would come and train your whole staff team either in a staff meeting or an inset day, depending on the length of the training requested. To find out more please email sass@banes-sass.com
We offer training a wide variety of subjects. our courses include
- Understanding girls and an internal presentation of autism, including masking
- Creating effective social scripts/situation stories
- Understanding and supporting autism and demand avoidance
- Teaching social knowledge and supporting friendships
- Sensory processing understanding the basics
- Sensory processing universal strategies to support autistic young people
- Sensory modulation and further intervention
- Executive function and sensory differences
- Universal classroom strategies – Early Years/Primary
- Universal classroom strategies – Secondary/Post 16
- The Autism Champions Network
- Implementing Structured TEACCHing in the Classroom
We are the regional partner for the Neuroinclusive Education Network NEN (formerly AET) and offer training and continuing professional development for professionals using the NEN Inclusive Practice Development Programme, which includes the Early Years Programme, Schools Programme and Post 16 Programme. For more information about the NEN programme and training options, please see the Autism Education Trust website: www.nen.org.uk
The courses we offer are:
- NEN (formerly AET) Making Sense of Autism (Early Years, Schools and Post 16)
- NEN (formerly AET) Making Sense of Neurodivergence in Schools
- NEN (formerly AET) Good Autism Practice (Early Years, Schools and Post 16)
- NEN (formerly AET) Inclusive Leadership to Support Neurodivergent Pupils
- NEN (formerly AET) Progression Framework Training (Early Years, Schools and Post 16)
- NEN (formerly AET) Understanding Autism and Anxiety (Early Years, Schools and Post 16)
- NEN (formerly AET) Anxious Non-Attendance Module (Early Years, Schools and Post 16)
- NEN (formerly AET) Transitions (Early Years and Schools)
- NEN (formerly AET) Transition to Employment Module (Post 16)
- NEN (formerly AET) Developing Play in the Early Years (Early Years)
- NEN (formerly AET) Developing Toileting in the Early Years (Early Years)
Autism Champions Network
We are aiming for all schools and education settings in B&NES to have an identified Autism Champion, who can support autistic pupils and their families. Autism champions can be any professional from the settings above who would like to become an advocate for their children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Autism champions will have an existing awareness of autism, compassion for the children and young people they work with and a desire to further their professional development and nurture the understanding of others. If you would like to become an Autism Champion for your setting, please contact the SASS team for more information and to join our growing network by emailing sass@fossewayschool.com or calling the helpline on 01761 412198 .
Our Autism Champions network provides a valuable opportunity for professionals in schools to work together to support their autistic young people and their families. Our Autism Champions are skilled practitioners, who are often the first point of contact for young people and are committed to enhancing autism provision within their settings. They do a fantastic job and I would like to thank all of our champions for their commitment to their roles and ‘making a difference’ every day.
The network of Autism Champions always shows to us at the service what a wealth of interesting, hard-working and curious staff there are out there in B&NES and beyond. They are committed to making their settings inclusive and happy places in which autistic young people are valued and able to thrive.
The champions meet three times a year, with a focus to each training session informed by the groups areas of need, but sharing of resources happens throughout the school year. It can be difficult sometimes to advocate for the autistic learners in your setting, when there are so many competing pressures and targets. Champions gives you that boost of knowledge and support giving you the confidence to spread awareness of the experiences of autistic young people and the steps your setting can take to be truly accepting of neurodiversity’
Sarah Keelty
Teacher – Specialist Autism Support Service
