Services and Support |
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We offer a wide range of bespoke services to families, young people and professionals across the South West. We support children and young people within a wide range of settings including mainstream education, special schools and colleges, within local communities and at our centre in Exeter.
We are unable to provide diagnostic services. Your child or young person does not need to have a diagnosis to access our services.
We are unable to provide diagnostic services. Your child or young person does not need to have a diagnosis to access our services.
Mentoring
Mentoring services are delivered on a 1-1 basis. We are able to support children and young people who struggle with the social and sensory demands of education. Some are in special schools, others are in mainstream education, are on part time timetables or are home educated. Our support services include advisory and training for parents and professionals, developing coping strategies, and offer off-site education, overseen by our qualified teacher. We aim to develop a young person’s self-esteem, social understanding and confidence along with academic success. Our qualified teacher specialises in building the confidence of children in maths and literacy. Mentoring Fees - from £50.00 per hour + VAT.
Mentoring services are delivered on a 1-1 basis. We are able to support children and young people who struggle with the social and sensory demands of education. Some are in special schools, others are in mainstream education, are on part time timetables or are home educated. Our support services include advisory and training for parents and professionals, developing coping strategies, and offer off-site education, overseen by our qualified teacher. We aim to develop a young person’s self-esteem, social understanding and confidence along with academic success. Our qualified teacher specialises in building the confidence of children in maths and literacy. Mentoring Fees - from £50.00 per hour + VAT.
Parent Support
We offer support to parents who need to make sense of their child’s behaviours, difficulties and challenges. We deliver practical help to parents whose child is diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis. Parent Support Fees - from £60.00 per hour + VAT.
Parent Support
We offer support to parents who need to make sense of their child’s behaviours, difficulties and challenges. We deliver practical help to parents whose child is diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis. Parent Support Fees - from £60.00 per hour + VAT.
Community Mentoring
We are able to provide social communication opportunities for young people who would benefit from accessing the wider community. We give support to undertake activities in a variety of settings. Our aim is to help reduce anxiety around engaging with the local community and promoting life, independence and social skills. Community Mentoring Fees - from £40.00 per hour + VAT.
Alternative Education Provision
The combination of social differences, sensory processing difficulties and increased anxieties have seen an increase in many young people being unable to access education. According to research (Ambitious about Autism 2024) the figures have increased by 166% in the last 4 years.
Nationally it is claimed that 25% of the 200,000 ASD children in the UK are persistently absent and a similar number experience mental health difficulties (Guardian 5/3/24)
For some young people the combination of their difficulties, has resulted in autistic burnout. Burnout occurs as a state of physical and mental exhaustion, heightened stress, diminished capacity to manage life skills, sensory input, and/or social interactions. It occurs when the young person has attempted to “manage” without receiving adequate and planned support.
For others, their feelings of being overwhelmed have resulted in Emotionally Based School Avoidance (ESBA). Many young people cannot access school/college due to crippling levels of anxiety. Anxieties include social, anticipatory, and sensory. Here at SWA we understand young people often can’t, not won’t, attend school.
Our small calm Exeter centre provides an environment for supporting and mentoring young people. We are a registered alternative education provider with a range of professionals who can help your child. Our resources include sensory room, music room, gaming area, social area, Lego therapy, kitchen area and art/craft room.
We have teachers, mentors, support assistants, speech and language therapist and assistance dogs all of whom are experienced in supporting the mental health and well-being of young people with extreme anxiety. We can offer up to 15 hours a week or as little as 1 hour. We always work at the young person’s pace. We are currently commissioned by the local authority (inclusion and 0-25 teams) as well as schools and colleges.
If you have a young person who is unable to attend school feel free to contact us regarding our current availability by emailing us at [email protected].
Training
Lisa McCullagh is a very experienced and accomplished trainer in the field of autism. She regularly runs courses for parents and professionals. Courses and workshops cover a range of related topics including: -
Groups
We currently run two groups with a focus on life, social and independence skills. Each group runs fortnightly with a requirement to commit to six sessions. We ask that parents/carers do not stay to the group sessions with their young person.
Young Adults Group – 17 years to 30 years – alternate Tuesdays – 7pm-9pm - £15.00 per session.
Boys Group – to develop social skills and interaction in the safe environment of our centre. Sessions include games, Lego, art, cooking and baking etc - 8-17 years – alternate Wednesdays – 6pm-8pm - £20.00 per session.
We are able to provide social communication opportunities for young people who would benefit from accessing the wider community. We give support to undertake activities in a variety of settings. Our aim is to help reduce anxiety around engaging with the local community and promoting life, independence and social skills. Community Mentoring Fees - from £40.00 per hour + VAT.
Alternative Education Provision
The combination of social differences, sensory processing difficulties and increased anxieties have seen an increase in many young people being unable to access education. According to research (Ambitious about Autism 2024) the figures have increased by 166% in the last 4 years.
Nationally it is claimed that 25% of the 200,000 ASD children in the UK are persistently absent and a similar number experience mental health difficulties (Guardian 5/3/24)
For some young people the combination of their difficulties, has resulted in autistic burnout. Burnout occurs as a state of physical and mental exhaustion, heightened stress, diminished capacity to manage life skills, sensory input, and/or social interactions. It occurs when the young person has attempted to “manage” without receiving adequate and planned support.
For others, their feelings of being overwhelmed have resulted in Emotionally Based School Avoidance (ESBA). Many young people cannot access school/college due to crippling levels of anxiety. Anxieties include social, anticipatory, and sensory. Here at SWA we understand young people often can’t, not won’t, attend school.
Our small calm Exeter centre provides an environment for supporting and mentoring young people. We are a registered alternative education provider with a range of professionals who can help your child. Our resources include sensory room, music room, gaming area, social area, Lego therapy, kitchen area and art/craft room.
We have teachers, mentors, support assistants, speech and language therapist and assistance dogs all of whom are experienced in supporting the mental health and well-being of young people with extreme anxiety. We can offer up to 15 hours a week or as little as 1 hour. We always work at the young person’s pace. We are currently commissioned by the local authority (inclusion and 0-25 teams) as well as schools and colleges.
If you have a young person who is unable to attend school feel free to contact us regarding our current availability by emailing us at [email protected].
Training
Lisa McCullagh is a very experienced and accomplished trainer in the field of autism. She regularly runs courses for parents and professionals. Courses and workshops cover a range of related topics including: -
- Discovering Rainbows (a six-week course for parents)
- Understanding ASD
- Understanding and Supporting Females on the Spectrum
- Lego Therapy
- Sensory Processing Difficulties
- Support Young People with High Levels of Anxiety
Groups
We currently run two groups with a focus on life, social and independence skills. Each group runs fortnightly with a requirement to commit to six sessions. We ask that parents/carers do not stay to the group sessions with their young person.
Young Adults Group – 17 years to 30 years – alternate Tuesdays – 7pm-9pm - £15.00 per session.
Boys Group – to develop social skills and interaction in the safe environment of our centre. Sessions include games, Lego, art, cooking and baking etc - 8-17 years – alternate Wednesdays – 6pm-8pm - £20.00 per session.
