Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service (WAAS) - Aims and objectives

Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service (WAAS)

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Aims and objectives

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Offer for parents and young people

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Aims and objectives

Our Vision

All Wandsworth Autistic children and young people have equal opportunities to achieve their potential.

Our Aims

To support the inclusion of children and young people with Autism and Social Communication Disorders in Wandsworth through the promotion and delivery of best practice leading to positive outcomes.

Strategic Outcomes

• The number of educational professionals who state that they can confidently support an autistic child or young person will have increased.
• The number of parents who report that they understand and can support their autistic child’s needs will have increased
• The number of autistic inclusive educational settings will have increased
• The proportion of autistic children and young people who experience exclusion will have reduced.
• The proportion of autistic children on reduced/ part time timetables will have reduced
• The proportion of autistic children and young people who have their needs met in mainstream settings will have increased
• The proportion of autistic children and young people who move on to positive destinations after school and/or college will have increased.

Service Objectives

• To enable effective multi-disciplinary planning and delivery of services for children and families throughout the entire process from emerging needs to post diagnostic support minimising transition between teams.
• To provide (in conjunction with partners) a planned and graduated response to children and their families.
• To provide a point of contact for young people, parents, professionals and settings* to request advice and support.
• To upskill families** through a bespoke and differentiated parent / carer training programme.
• To provide high quality training to upskill settings and the wider workforce to meet the needs of children with social communication difficulties.
• To provide specialist direct work with children, families, and settings at times of specific need and/or signpost/ refer on to other relevant agencies/ professionals as appropriate.
• To provide flexible, enhanced support at times of high need.
• To maximise all children / young people access to the curriculum and provide a rapid response at times of difficulty.
• To provide support to the Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Process.
• To promote and deliver best practice based on latest research-based evidence.
• To provide a framework and training to support high quality transition planning.

*Settings refers to all settings including childminders, nurseries, schools, colleges,
** parent support is available to all Wandsworth residents regardless of the child/ young person’s educational placement