Children’s Autism Outreach Team (CAOT)

The purpose of the service will be to support children and young people with autism (diagnosed or undiagnosed) facing barriers relating to education or undergoing a transition between settings. We recognise the importance of relationship building and will be continuing to meet with families across home and school settings.

There will be a new call back process introduced to provide families and professionals with the opportunity to speak with team members for advice and support.

Parent carers can access this service by contacting Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224 and professionals by contacting the Inclusion Advice Line (IAL).

The discussion with the parent carer or professional will identify one of the following pathways:

1. Telephone advice, guidance and signposting
2. Step into a Team Around the Child (TAC)/ Team Around the Family (TAF)
3. Direct support for a set time

There is no longer a requirement for an Early Help Assessment to be submitted and instead request that contact is made through the

IAL

to enable us to identify the support required. If a request for CAOT support was submitted before 1 April, or the child or young person is on the waiting list then the parent carer or professional will receive a telephone call from a member of the team to discuss the support required and identify the correct pathway.

Community Activity calendars will continue and will be regularly reviewed based on uptake of activities and parental feedback. We will be working closely with wider departments in the council and external partners to develop and align the local area offer of community activities. This will enable us to ensure we are covering all areas of Somerset and family needs. From 1 April we will no longer be offering CAOT Coffee Mornings due to the limited uptake.

Type of provision

Targeted - This is for people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families