hertfordshire county council autism scrutiny - education debbie orton head of integrated services...

Hertfordshire County Councilwww.hertsdirect.org

Autism Scrutiny - Education

Debbie Orton

Head of Integrated Services for Learning

Children’s Services

7 November 2014


Challenges – across the country

• Increasing number of children identified with autism

• Needs and profiles are very diverse across the population

• Autism may be missed as it is not as visible in able, passive children

• School can be one of the most demanding environments if you have autism


Challenges – across the country

• Reduction in support services and therapists• No robust evidence on which interventions or

settings are best for any individual• But growing consensus from experience of what

makes a positive difference………. • Adult style, physical and sensory environments,

stress reduction, using special interests, listening to the pupils


Local Context

• Children with autism are educated in all types of schools and settings

• Educational support services include EPs, specialist teachers, outreach from special schools, early years specialists

• £12.66m is spent on placements for 714 children with ASD who live in Hertfordshire with statements/EHC plans/ exceptional needs in mainstream schools


Aims of the DSPL Autism Review

• To identify key issues, concerns and successes in the education of children with autism

• To consider how to enhance provision and increase a school’s capacity to take a wider range of children

• To make best use of resources• To clarify the Hertfordshire offer and continuum of

provision Universal Targeted Specialist


Sources of Information

• Staff in mainstream and special schools and settings

• Support services• Parents and carers• Data on placements made for children with Autism

in each DSPL Area• Literature on autism and interventions• Survey data from schools and colleges


3 Phases of the Review

• Phase 1 - discussions and surveys with parents

and professionals to identify key issues

• • Phase 3 – Draw together the work and make

recommendations


Phase 2

3 DSPL Areas are undertaking 4 tasks based on key issues identified from Phase 1

1.Whole school practice

2.Parental engagement

3.Understanding and managing behaviour

4.Analysing information about placements


Others areas of work being explored

• Provision for children who find mainstream school very difficult

• Training

• How best to use support services

• FE and post 16

• Information for families and professionals


Phase 3

All the information from Phase 1 and 2 and other areas of work will be collated identifying:•the key issues•good practice•how provision can be enhanced

A report with recommendations will be completed by April 2015

This review links with the all age ASD strategy

hertfordshire county council autism scrutiny - education debbie orton head of integrated services...

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