Trafford Autism and Social Communication Hub

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Trafford Council Logo Trafford LCO Logo Manchester Foundation Trust Logo Trafford CCG logo

 

Here you will find information advice and local support service for people with autism, parent carers of children or young people with autism and those who work with them.

In addition to the services listed below you can find many more services, activities, things to do and a wide range of SEND advice and guidance on Trafford's SEND Local Offer.

 

Diagnosis

Autism and social communication difficulties are lifelong developmental conditions, which affect people in different ways. Autism is not always picked up in childhood; people can be diagnosed at any age.

There are different services available for diagnosis and support depending on how old you are.

School based support is the first stage of the current TASC pathway. When a parent/carer or teacher thinks that a child may be showing signs of social communication difficulties or autism the Graduated Approach is started. The school-based support part of the pathway will usually be for 2 terms.

Find out more about Trafford's Graduated Approach for: 

Find out more about the Trafford Autism and Social Communication Pathway (TASC) for children and young people

TASC Pathway waiting list FAQ

 

Post Diagnostic Support

If your child or young person has an autism diagnosis there are lots of organisations that offer support.  You might need different types of support at different times in your life.

Getting Advice

Getting Advice - for those who need advice and signposting

Support available via the Local Authority

SEN consultant, Autism and Social Communication: SEN Advisory Service SENAS)

  • Respond to referral by any Trafford school for child or young person with social communication concerns with or without a diagnosis of autism, whether family wish to seek a diagnosis or not. Observation, offer advice (including written advice), meetings with school staff and parents/carers etc.
  • Training for whole staff/staff groups in schools in a variety of areas that are autism related
  • Regular autism friendly email updates shared with SENCos including material to be shared with families (including social events such as relaxed performances and museum early openings) as well as material to use in the school.
  • Signpost schools to the free Greater Manchester Autism Consortium webinars for parents/carers. Autism seminars for families | gmac (autismgm.org.uk)

Autism in Schools

Aims to reduce inappropriate educational exclusions and hospital admissions for children and young people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and/or challenging behaviour.

This is a transformation programme which is being co-produced with Trafford Parent Carer Forums and support parent groups in schools which provides modules and learning to school staff to help them understand the needs of autistic students and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments within the school environment.

AiS also promotes the voice of autistic children through ‘Understanding Me’ helping young people and their families understand the young person autism.

In Trafford, this is being developed with Trafford Parents Forum and will be rolled out in 3 Schools:

  • Moorlands Junior School
  • Lostock High School
  • Wellington High School

Direct parent support 

Trafford Parent Carer Forum

Trafford Parent Carer Forum provide peer support, advice and information to parents and carers of children and young people. 

Trafford Directory | Trafford Parents Forum

Education Psychology

The service offers slots via their Facebook page for parents/carers to chat with them about any concerns they may have, including autism and social communication difficulties

Educational Psychology | Trafford Services for Education (traffordeducation.co.uk)

 

Stronger Together Empowering Parents (STEP)

STEP are a support service within Trafford Parents Forum. They provide emotional and practical support and advice for parent/carers of children and young people with SEND in Trafford. They also have a team of trained volunteers who can act as mentors for parent carers. They pair mentors up according to the skills and experience they have and match them accordingly with parent/carers who could benefit the most from their support.

Trafford Directory | Stronger Together Empowering Parents (STEP)

Trafford Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (Trafford SENDIASS)

Provides impartial information, advice and support to children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND, as well as their parents and carers.

They can also support with:

  • The law around SEND
  • Education health care plans (EHCP)
  • Resolving any disagreements
  • Health and social care in relation to special educational needs provision
  • Transition post 16 - Preparing for adulthood
  • Personal budgets

Information on the Local Offer (Services and provision available for those with SEND)

Trafford Directory | Trafford SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Trafford SEND Parent Carers Chatty Café

Supporting Trafford parents who have children and young people with SEN, disability and/or additional needs. They are a source of help, advice and support for parents, offering anything from a cup of coffee to the opportunity to meet other parents, leaflets and information to invitations to training events and conferences. 

Families with a child or young person 0 to 25 years. 

Telephone - 0161 912 1053

E-mail - sarah.bradley@trafford.gov.uk

Pacts Stockport

A collection of webinars on a range of subjects, which have been shared by Stockport and are be accessed by families.

https://pactstockport.co.uk/webinars/

Getting Help

Getting Help - for those who need focused and specific help

Direct parent support

 Special Educational Needs Advisory Service (SENAS)

  • provide school parent/carer group support- one Primary as a trial, moving on to wider online offering soon.
  • Co-delivering sensory workshops with OT colleagues to parents/carers on the waiting list for sensory referral
  • Informal discussions with parents/carers about support for children- signposting, sharing material etc.
  • Deliver training for groups of parents/carers e.g., on Zones of Regulation.

This service also has a specific Early Years offer for those ages 0 – 5 years including:

Website: Special Educational Needs Advisory Service (SENAS) / Portage Service | Trafford Directory

Greater Manchester Autism Consortium

Post diagnostic workshops for parent carers - free webinars designed for parent/carers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

HOME | gmac (autismgm.org.uk)

Support for Families, Children & Young People – Non-Commissioned Services

Spectrum Gaming

Spectrum Gaming is an online community for autistic young people which has three main intended outcomes, building friendships, increasing self-acceptance and advocacy.

Website - About Us | Spectrum Gaming

Autism Understood

A WEBSITE ABOUT AUTISM, FOR AUTISTIC YOUNG PEOPLE

Spectrum Gaming have made a website so that everyone can gain a better understanding of what autism is, since most people they meet seem a little confused about what autism actually is

I AM Celebrating Autism in Greater Manchester

Offer a range of groups for different age groups (10+, 16+, 18+) including Information and Family Support, Roleplay Gaming Group, Life Coaching, and Aspirations Project which includes leisure and social activities.

Telephone - 0161 866 8483

E-mail - admin@i-am-autism.org.uk

Website - https://i-am-autism.org.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IAMCelebratingAutisminGreaterManchester/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ASGMAManchester

Ambitious Youth Network

Offer an online space to meet other autistic young people, take on paid opportunities, and join group panels. Ages 16 – 25 years

 E-mail - participation@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Website - Ambitious About Autism

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousaboutautism

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ambitiousautism

Disability Support Network - South Asian Family Health

Network for South Asian families offering parent/carer workshops to offer support and hare experiences and skills.

Telephone - 0161 870 2322, 07455 990719

E-mail - safh.group@gmail.com

Website - Disability Support Network - South Asian Family Health | Trafford Directory

KIDS SEND Mediation Service

Helps parents and young people resolve disputes about Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and Plans, as well as other SEND related issues. Ages 0-25 years.

 Telephone - 03330 062 835

E-mail - senmediation@kids.org.uk

Website - https://www.kids.org.uk/send-mediation

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KIDScharity

Twitter - https://twitter.com/kidscharity

National Autistic Society North

Parent to parent emotional support service, includes the NAS Helpline which can provide parents with information and advice. 

Telephone - 01254 888535

NAS helpline - 0808 800 4104

Parent to Parent Service - 0808 800 4106

E-mail - north.services@nas.org.uk

Website - https://www.autism.org.uk/

National Sleep Helpline

Free help line to support parents and CYP with sleep problems, have specialist who work within SEND.

Telephone - 0330 353 0541

E-mail - helpline@thesleepcharity.org.uk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheSleepCharity

Twitter - https://twitter.com/thesleepcharity

Navigate (Scope)

Six-week programme that aims to put parents in touch with a personal advisor, helping them to talk about their feelings and concerns.

Telephone - 0808 801 0510

E-mail - navigate@scope.org.uk

Website - https://www.scope.org.uk/navigate

Parents Connect

6-week support programme for parents and carers of young disabled people. Ages 0-18 years.

Telephone - helpline 0808 800 3333

E-mail - parentsconnect@scope.org.uk

Website - https://www.scope.org.uk/family-services/parents-connect/  

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Scope/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/scope

Getting More Help

Getting More Help - for those who need more extensive and specialist help

Riding the Rapids (RTR)

Professionals across Trafford including Early Help and clinicians are trained in RTR as well as staff in a small number of schools.

RTR is a ten-week group intervention aimed at helping parents/carers of children aged up to 14 with additional needs to positively understand and manage their child’s behaviour, improving quality of life and equipping families with skills to take on their journey with them.  Designed for parents/carers of children with learning disabilities and/or autism the group materials can be adapted to support parents/carers of children in specialist or in mainstream provision. The course is divided into different modules including:

  • understanding the function of behaviour that challenges
  • making environmental changes to support positive behaviour
  • developing strategies to promote positive behaviour based on this understanding
  • promoting positive attachments through better communication and play
  • supporting parents/carers self-care and promoting parental coping and wellbeing.

Based on well researched principles of functional analysis, the course aims to give parents/carers strategies to help them in that moment in time, as well as skills they can apply to future challenges.

Email - Emma.bamlett@trafford.gov.uk

 Jag.Vickers@trafford.gov.uk

 Janette.Crump@trafford.gov.uk

Telephone - 0161 912 5020 Stretford Early Help Hub

0161 912 2122 Partington Early Help Hub

Website - Parenting Courses

Sleep support

Trafford Sleep and Therapy Services is a commisioned service to help children thrive by providing experienced professionals who can help them overcome the difficulties they face with sleep and other issues such as social and communication skills. If you live in Trafford and are a parent or carer of a child aged 2 to 18 years who has sleep problems you can join a webinar to access free help and support. For children with an EHCP or a named worker can access 1:1 clinic appointment service.

Telephone - 07838110985

Website - Trafford Sleep Services

Get Out There – Trafford Holiday Club – Short Breaks by SENSE

Group supporting children with a diagnosis of autism, run in school holidays. The group helps children with socialisation with a range of activities so children can choose individually or join a group activity.

Telephone – 07402 017242

E-mail - Judith.Archer@sense.org.uk

Website - Get Out There (GOT) Trafford Holiday Club - Short Break by SENSE | Trafford Directory

Sense | For people with complex disabilities

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/senseuk

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/sensecharity

Sport Works and Gorse Hill Studios Inclusive Saturday Challenge - Short Breaks

Supported by Trafford Council and delivered in partnership with Gorse Hill Studios.  These are fun, relaxed and totally inclusive sessions designed to increase social skills, healthy habits and give children new experiences.

Sport Works provides engaging and stimulating sessions of mixed activities some developing skills in leadership, group working, communication and organisation, examples of activities are; target hoops, basketball, boccia, dodgeball, tag rugby, hockey, cricket, gymnastics, Danish cricket, tag rounders, street dance, cheerleading, non-contact martial arts, rock climbing, volleyball, new age Curling, bean bag ball and many more.

At the same sessions Gorse Hill Studios provides mixed sessions based around creative arts and expressions, as such young people have a complete choice of which to do at each visit.

Gorse Hill Studios implements a rolling programme of innovative arts (Drama, Dance, Media, Visual Arts and Music) and youth work techniques to create and provide opportunities, empower participants, increase wellbeing and potential. The group explores and identifies a theme for each session that culminates in a series of skills sharing and show back events.

At the end of the day it is about 2 things; making children enjoy themselves and to offer parents/carers a short break! 

These sessions also run during the school holidays throughout the week.

Telephone - 07539 851326

E-mail - jon@sportworksltd.co.uk

Website - Sportworks website

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swmcrandcheshire/

Getting Risk Support

Getting Risk Support through Transforming Care Agenda

Dynamic Support Database

  • Dynamic Support Database (DSD) used to identify children and young people with Autism (diagnosed) and/or Learning Disabilities who present with an increase in challenging behaviour and significant risk of admission to a Tier 4 hospital and/or residential placement – Parents / Carer, professionals from health, social care or education can put a child or young person’s name on this database (consent needed).
  • The DSD is used by clinicians and commissioners to monitoring risk and offer support to children, young people and their families to prevent admission to hospital and 52 week residential care and to remain in the community.

 

Other useful sources of support

Trafford Independent Travel Training - offer training to young people on how to get to and from school by themselves, as well as preparing them for other journeys they will want to make as they get older. 

Trafford Carers Centre - provides information and support to carers, completes carers assessments and carer health checks. The autism carers group meets on a regular basis.

Talkshop - specialist advice and information service for young people aged between 13 and 19 years old.

Connexions Trafford  Connexions is a service for young people in Trafford aged 13-19 (or 25 if they have disability). They offer support in relation to education and employment. They provide support from qualified Careers Advisors. 

Social Care

Adult Social Care (Complex Care), to support smooth transitions, assessment and reassessment.

Community Care Assessments If you are an adult and have a diagnosis of autism you are legally entitled to an assessment under the Care Act (2014).

Children's Complex Needs Team (CAN), can carry out social care assessments and provide access to specialist support for eligible children

Health

Learning Disability Health and Wellbeing - a section of the Local Offer dedicated to Learning Disability Health Checks

Health Passports - It can be helpful to provide a Health Passport for hospital staff to avoid repeated questions and queries on how best to support you during your stay in Hospital.

Trafford Early Development Service, supports children and their families through Portage developmental play sessions.

Community Learning Disability Team - Children, support services for Children and Young People up to the age of 18 who have significant and enduring learning disabilities with additional and complex needs

Community Learning Disabiity Team - Adults, health support for people over the age of 18 who have a learning disability

Community Paediatric Team - specialist children’s doctors with training and expertise in developmental paediatrics and disability

Community Therapy Service - includes Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

CAMHS - service for children and young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties

Speech and Language Therapy Service for children and young people - a team of Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Speech and Language Therapy assistants who assess, diagnose and treat people who have speech, language and communications needs and feeding difficulties. 

Education

Education, Health and Care (EHC) Assessment Team - manage the EHC assessment process

Employment

Job Centre Plus - Disability Employment Advisor, Stretford 

Job Centre Plus - Disability Employment Advisor, Alexandra Park 

Job Centre Plus - Disability Employment Advisor, Altrincham 

Pure Innovations - provide formal autism/disability training in the workplace and supported internships

United Response - support for adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism to gain employment

Housing Support

Greater Manchester Autism Consortium Housing Resources provides guidance for autistic and learning disabled people who need help with renting a home or due to threat of eviction.  There are also guides for private landlords, housing support organisations and housing association landlords to supporting autistic and learning disabled people.

Information

The National Autistic Society has produced information for parent carers after a diagnosis has been reached:

Support for adults with autism

Trafford Extended Service post diagnosis group for Adults - autism diagnosis service, with focussed post-diagnostic and group support

CEA Cinema Card  - if you are claiming certain benefits you may be eligible for a CEA card which allows you to obtain one free ticket for the person who is accompanying you to enable you to visit the cinema.

Empower You! - exercise sessions for people with learning difficulties and autism

 

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Last updated: 09/01/2024

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