The Access and Assistive Technology Team is part of the Children and Young People’s specialist service (previously known as PIMS and SENATAS). The team support children and young people from birth up to the end of year 11 NCY, and advises on support for young people up to 25 in educational settings, in the following areas:

• Access to educational settings and inclusive practice in educational settings for those with medical and/or physical conditions.
• Alternative Augmentative Communication – this is a joint pathway between Education and Health for children and young people with difficulty to access their communication aids due to physical disability.
• Assistive Technology to enable CYPs alternative methods of recording and access to the curriculum.

What do we do?

We visit children and young people in their homes, preschool settings, schools and colleges.

We provide information to children and young people, parents, carers and staff about the effects of physical impairments and/or medical needs, and strategies to support access to learning and independence. We have a wide knowledge of the latest technology for alternative and augmentative methods of recording and communication.

We offer support, training and advice for children and young people, parents/carers and staff in order to be sure the requirements of a child or young person’s needs are planned for in all settings and at transition. We offer support and intervention to children and young people who need to use technology to enable their access to curriculum using alternative methods of recording and communication to develop their independence and reach their full potential.

We provide information to children and young people, parents/carers and staff about the use of technology for augmentative and alternative methods of recording and communication.

We are a unique service, made up of experienced professionals, who offer bespoke advice and guidance concerning any pupil/student in a Somerset school/setting with a physical or medical need.

Support and advice to children and young people, teachers, teaching assistants and SENCO’s in a variety of settings including preschool/schools/further education.

Assessment and review to provide recommendations to evaluate and monitor the child and young people’s progress using technology.

Support with transitions into, within and between settings.

We encourage pupils to develop learning and independence to enable them to reach their full potential.

Information and resources

• Accessible venues 2020
• Epilepsy Toolkit 2020
• Personal and Intimate Care Guidance
• Personal and Intimate Care Plan
• AATT Transition Document
• Wheelchair Proficiency and Skills Award Pack
• Trips Guidance 2020
• General technology information
• Developing keyboarding skills
• Simple Changes for pupils using technology
• Useful apps to support Early Year/Foundation
• Using speech recognition

Type of provision

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