Access and Assistive Technology Team
- Education and learning
- Equipment and adaptations
- Information, advice and guidance
Description
The AAT Team is part of Somerset’s Specialist Support Services, within the Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Team. Our service works with children and young people up to age 18 without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC plan), and up to age 25 for those with an EHC plan, provided they remain in an educational placement.
Our service is committed to supporting children and young people who may be transitioning out of children’s services by providing an appropriate and effective transition package, where a need for this has been identified.
The AAT Team has members based across the County and consists of:
- Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT)
- Specialist Support Advisor (SSA) for AAC
- Specialist Support Advisor (SSA) SEND Technology
AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication)
We are a dedicated team of professionals supporting children and young people in Somerset with complex communication and physical needs. Our mission is to promote inclusion, independence, and accessibility through expert advice and tailored solutions.
- Assess and Recommend: Assistive technology and communication tools for individual needs.
- Specialist Advice: Guidance for schools, settings, and families.
- Inclusive Practice: Support inclusion and accessibility across education.
- Training: Deliver sessions on AAC and inclusive strategies.
- Collaborative Working: Partner with health services to ensure joined-up support.
Specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) referrals must be completed by the child or young person’s NHS Speech & Language Therapist.
SEND Technology
Our SEND Technology team aims to promote and foster inclusive learning and seeks to ensure that assistive technology is an enhancement to a child and young person’s learning, both in school and at home. Our vision is to enable children and young people aged 0–18 (and up to 25 with an EHCP) who have complex physical impairments or deteriorating conditions, as well as those with significant SEND who rely on assistive technology as an alternative to conventional methods of learning and recording, to access independent learning through the effective use of assistive technology.
- Evaluate and Recommend: Investigating individual CYP technology needs and providing advice and recommendations on appropriate supportive assistive technology (e.g., accessible alternative equipment, software, devices) to support learning and participation.
- Support and Guidance: Providing expert advice and support for staff, families, and CYP in the use of assistive technology to overcome barriers to learning.
- Specialist Advice: Provide guidance to schools, settings, and families on SEND technology.
- Inclusive Practice: Ensuring that technology is used to promote inclusion, independence, and access to the curriculum for all pupils with SEND.
- Training: Helping schools and settings build their capacity to support SEND pupils through technology by ensuring staff are confident, skilled, and able to maximise the potential of the tools available within their setting.
- Collaborative Working: Partner with health and education professionals for joined-up support.
The service will not accept referrals for young people aged over 18 who have an EHC plan and have not previously been known to the service, as they now fall within adult referral criteria. To refer a child or young person for our SEND Technology support, please contact the Inclusion advice line.
Type of provision
Targeted - Extra help for some people, usually after someone has made a referral
Contact information
Accessibility and adjustments
- Wheelchair access: Yes