Level 3 Award for Supporting Children and Young People with Autism

There are 6 themes (modules) which together address the requirements of the learning outcomes.

• Understanding autism within the world of neurodiversity

• Understanding and interpreting behaviours

• Social communication and interaction factors and responses

• Working with autistic children, young people and their families

• Establishing inclusive environments

• Planning implementing and reviewing provision

• The qualification content is all online. This provides the opportunity for participants to organise their own studies thus minimising time away from setting/school or college commitments.

• Real-time one-hour online study sessions for each theme gives participants the opportunity to discuss the content as a group and talk through the practical assessment tasks. These sessions are facilitated by an expert in the field.

Note: If an educational organisation such as Multi Academy Trust is hosting the programme for its own staff, it is possible to set-up study sessions in-house. Materials, guidance and support are available from the central team to support this.

Accreditation is through Gateway Qualifications; a nationally recognised accrediting body.

• Practical / reflective tasks linked to the content of each theme are carried out in participants own setting. These are recorded using a specifically tailored template following carefully framed guidance.

• Support materials and podcasts are available to help structure the work.

• The practical tasks are designed to make a positive difference to practice and demonstrate how learning outcomes are being met for each theme.

Costs vary slightly according to whether participants are accessing the qualification via the fully online route or in tandem with local authority face-to-face sessions.

As a guide; to take part in the course and gain the Level 3 Award (6 credits) participants should expect to pay under £300 per person.

• Uses evidence-based approaches to build knowledge and skill

• Gives practical opportunities to trial different approaches with children or young people in the setting

• Helps build a ‘team around the child/young person’ approach

• Supports recruitment and retention by demonstrating a commitment to workforce development

• Provides practical strategies to help create an inclusive environment for autistic children / young people

• Broadens perspectives on how to celebrate neurodiversity

• Demonstrates commitment to the SEND Reforms