Specialist Autism Support Service (SASS)

The Specialist Autism Support Service (SASS) is commissioned by Bath and North East Somerset Local Authority with the primary aim of supporting autistic children and young people to achieve and thrive and to maintain their educational placements.

The ongoing development of the Specialist Autism Support Service has ensured that the aims of the service align with the National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026, linking to the 6 priority areas. This includes ‘improving autistic children and young people’s access to education, and supporting positive transitions into adulthood’.

The Specialist Autism Support Service also takes account of the themes and aspirations within the B&NES Children & Young People’s Plan 2024-2030 and is part of the SEND Collaboration for Bath and North East Somerset, ensuring local inclusive provision is matched to need to ensure the right support, in the right place at the right time. 

The above themes and aspirations are all taken into account by SASS, not only in how the service supports autistic children and young people, their families and educational settings but in how the service works with other professionals, organisations and the wider community.

SASS also provides autism-specific training as a Neuroinclusive Education Network (NEN) Regional Partner and training hub, supporting education settings to implement the Neuroinclusive Education Network (formerly Autism Education Trust) Inclusive Practice Development Programme across B&NES. 

 SASS also has a Padlet containing key service updates, information and resources: https://padlet.com/SASSBathnes/Updates 

To find out more about SASS see the website here