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ASC: Specialist Guidance

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Specialist Guidance

Through the schools’ Graduated Approach, the SENDCo will liaise with teaching staff and parents or carers to identify the right time for seeking external agency involvement and referrals to specialists for further assessment. School staff will work collaboratively with relevant external agencies including: Speech and Language Therapy Services, Cambridgeshire's Special Educational Needs and Disability 0-25 Services, Community Paediatrics and Occupational Therapy Services to achieve the best outcomes for the child or young person (CYP).

Speech and Language Therapy Services

Where a CYP’s communication needs are not in line with age related expectations, remain a persistent area of concern or new concerns emerge, schools and settings should contact NHS Speech and Language Therapy Service and follow the referral guidance appropriate to their educational setting and phase.

Speech and Language

  • Our speech and language therapy drop-ins and early advice sessions are for preschool-age children with difficulties primarily in speech and language development.
  • For school-aged children, school teams should complete the Request for Involvement Form [Size: 282 KB, File: DOCX] and discuss it with their link therapist.
  • If there are concerns about the child's language development, complete the Language Screening Form [Size: 1,191 KB, File: PDF].
  • If there are concerns about the child's speech and sound development, complete the Speech Screen Pictures [Size: 1,080 KB, File: PDF] and Record Form [Size: 203 KB, File: PDF].

Speech and Language

Secondary schools should complete the Secondary School Referral Form [Size: 205 KB, File: DOCX].

Speech and Language therapy along with Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy are available and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, following referral, to see children attending Special School.

SEND Services 0-25 years

SENDCos can raise concerns relating to a CYP with their Link Teacher or Educational Psychologist through the Link Planning meeting process. Subsequent referrals for SEND Service involvement can be made through a ‘Required Information and Consent’ or ‘Early Help Assessment’ (both need parental consent).

Further information and referral guidance can be found on the SEND Service 0-25 page.

Assessment for Autism (Neurodiversity)

Pinpoint, the Cambridgeshire Parent Carer Forum has a very useful document about Neurodiversity Neurodiversity - Pinpoint (pinpoint-cambs.org.uk)

Information about Autism and Social Communication  available on the Cambridgeshire Community Health websites, links below.

Autism and social communication (cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk)

If you wish to refer a child for an assessment for Autism this needs a referral to Community Paediatric Services Cambridgeshire Community Paediatrics (cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk)   

Information for referrers

Information_for_referrers_neurodevelopmental_pathway_to_ccs_2024215KB–pdf
Size: 215KBFile format: pdf

If you wish to refer a child or young person for an autism assessment, the route for Secondary age children is through Younited. How to refer | CPFT NHS Trust

For young People over the age of 18 the route is via the Adult Autism diagnostic service (18 and over)CLASS clinic | CPFT NHS Trust

Occupational Therapy Services

Schools and parents can access support and advice for sensory and physical needs via Cambridgeshire Children’s Occupational Therapy Services. Their website provides access to online learning materials and videos before referrals are made. Sensory Differences online learning is also available.

Parenting and Family Worker Support

Support for you and your family can be found on the Cambridgeshire County Council page.

Glossary

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Glossary page