Seven organisations have now been appointed to become training hubs to deliver the AET’s ambitious DfE supported training programme. Over the next two years, the AET will establish the first ever National Autism Education Standards for all educational settings, a competency framework for practitioners working with children on the spectrum across England and autism education training to practitioners.
The AET received 26 strong applications from organisations hoping to become training hubs. In early October, 16 of these were interviewed and all were excellent in terms of track record and expertise. The major factor in determining the successful bidders was the capacity of the organisation to deliver to a large network of schools in a challenging timescale. Seven hubs have been appointed at this stage, but as this still does not cover all of England, two or three further hubs may be appointed during the course of the next year if funds allow.
The seven providers are:
Ambitious about Autism
Birmingham LA
The Bridge School
Leicestershire County Council
The National Autistic Society
Nottinghamshire/Sutherland House/Norsa
Oldham LA
Birmingham University has also been selected to lead on the development of the training materials for the hubs and develop the National Autism Education Standards. The University team will be engaged in extensive consultation and research to draw on the expertise and views of the broadest range of stakeholders and professionals in the field.
There will be three levels of training, which will be aimed towards professionals with specific needs:
Level 1 (Universal, whole school training): This training will cover autism awareness within the context of training across a wider range of SEN.
Level 2 (Supportive, for staff working regularly with children with autism): This level of training will enable the development of high-level, local expertise through the delivery of more detailed, specialist training.
Level 3 (Specialist, aimed at SENCOs and school leaders): Professionals who complete the course will be able to train as a trainer for Levels 1 and 2 thereby extending the reach of the programme and enhancing its sustainability.
Key milestones in the next year are:
The programme is set within a challenging timetable and developments are happening quickly, so watch out for further updates via our website, here.
You will be able to access the training through your nearest hub; contact details for each hub will be posted on the website shortly. Keep checking for the latest information.
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