In this newsflash, DfE would like to draw your attention to two items:
Autism Education Trust’s new ‘Let’s Learn about Autism’ packs:
To celebrate Autism Acceptance Week this year (28 March to 3 April), the Autism Education Trust (AET) have been working with their Autistic Young Expert’s Panel to produce their Let’s Learn About Autism Packs. The fully resourced packs are designed to help all education professionals to plan their Autism Acceptance Week lessons and lead conversations about autism and understanding difference. Please see the AET website for further information and how to download: https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/celebrate-autism-acceptance-week-our-lets-learn-about-autism-pack
NHS Keyworker update:
Keyworking services move from the pilot phase towards full geographical cover: the NHS Long term Plan includes a commitment that ‘by 2023/24 children and young people with a learning disability and/or who are autistic with the most complex needs will have a designated keyworker’. Keyworking services have been introduced in pilot and early adopter areas to work with young people, families and services to avoid unnecessary admissions to mental health hospitals and to facilitate timely discharge with the right support in place. This next stage sees the remaining areas of the country developing plans for their Keyworking service. Visit the NHS England and NHS Improvement website for more information on how Keyworking is making a difference to young people’s lives in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale at https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/care/children-young-people/keyworkers/success-and-learning-from-heywood-middleton-and-rochdale-keyworking-service/ and South Yorkshire at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/care/children-young-people/keyworkers/success-and-learning-from-pilot-sites-the-south-yorkshire-keyworking-service/.