SASS helpline and other support

Other support

Parents

We provide a range of support for all parents, carers and families of autistic young people including:

• Coffee mornings – run a number of times per year, please click here for more information
• The SASS Community Choir is led by Tim Parker, supported by the SASS team. This is a choir for autistic* young people and their families including siblings, parents/carers and grandparents. Music provides a unique way to connect with others, with singing having many health and wellbeing benefits, so join us to enjoy some singing together within a fun, friendly and supportive environment. Parents/carers will also have the opportunity to meet with members of the SASS team for general advice and support during the session. No need to book ahead; just turn up. *whether you are diagnosed, waiting for diagnosis, or self-identify as autistic.
• A range of training courses across a wide variety of subjects, please click here for more information
• SASS leaflet on what we can offer, please click here for more information
• SASS padlet – full of information for parents and carers, please click here for more information
• Signposting to other support and agencies where appropriate
• We provide a range of events and courses for families of children and young people on the diagnostic pathway who do not need a formal diagnosis of autism. For more information please click here.

Please see our training for families section for further information on the courses we run.

Professionals

We provide a wide range of support for professionals working with autistic children and young people including:

• Training on a wide variety of subjects for all professionals working with autistic children and young people in B&NES including the Neuroinclusive Education Network (NEN) modules, formerly AET. For more click here.
• Autism champions network for professionals within any education setting who would like to become an advocate for their autistic young people. SASS aims for all education settings within B&NES to have an identified Autism Champion. For more information click here.
• Whole school training – we can train all staff at a setting in an staff meeting or on an inset day (depending on the length of the course) in any of the courses that we offer. To make a request please contact sass@banes-sass.com
• We have written a Specialist Autism Support Service Guide for Education Settings from Early Years to Post 16  which is designed to support practitioners to implement effective autism strategies and develop a graduated approach.
• We work closely with other services and organisations across B&NES, such as Health incorporating Speech and Language Therapists, Health Visitors, School Nurses and Paediatricians. We will also be continuing to work with the Local Authority, Social Care and parents/carers. This is a key outcome for our service and an active contribution to the multi-agency, B&NES-wide autism strategy.
• We also contribute to the dedicated autism pages within the Live Well B&NES Site/Rainbow Resource, which is the Local Offer in B&NES. Please see the website for further information: https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/special-educational-need-or-disability-send/autism
• We promote the use of the NEN (formerly AET) Progression Framework and provide support where required to implement this within education settings to better meet the needs of all autistic learners. For more information and to download this free resource, please visit: here.