Scottish Borders aims to work in line with the principles of Getting It Right for Every Child, so that every child and young person is able to make the most of their unique potential and make a positive contribution to society.
Education
Autistic children and young people all have a unique relationship to school. Some will thrive in the school environment with just a little understanding from staff, some will need small changes or accommodations to enable them to manage the classroom setting. Others may find the mainstream educational settings very challenging, and need significant specialist support either within the school or in a specialist provision.
Parent carers have the right to request an assessment to find out if their child or young person needs more support than would typically be given in their school or early years setting. (Young people can also request an assessment for themselves.)
Where a child or young person requires additional support, a staged approach is used, to ensure that they get the right support at the right time. You can download a brief description of the four stages below. Your Head Teacher, or other key education staff members should be able to give you more information about planning to meet the needs of your child or young person.
Click here for information on additional support for learning in Scottish Borders, including how to request an assessment.
Specialist Autism provision in the Scottish Borders is provided by the team at Leader Valley School. Click here to download the Leader Valley School handbook.
Social Work
Depending on the needs of your child or young person, they may be eligible for support from the Children Affected by Disability(CHAD) Social Work service. Each Children and Families Social Work team has a dedicated CHAD Social Worker, skilled in assessing the needs of children and young people with additional support needs. You have a right to have your child’s and family’s needs assessed, and may be eligible for support such as respite breaks, practical assistance or home adaptations.
Click here to find the contact details of your local Social Work office to find out assessment for CHAD support.
Support for Carers
Caring for an autistic child, young person or adult can be challenging and exhausting as well as rewarding. As a carer (including a parent), you are entitled to an assessment of what you need to enable you to continue to sustain your caring role and have a fulfilling life outside caring. Borders Carers Centre carry out carers assessments, and can help you to put together a plan to meet your needs. Their website has a wealth of information and they can provide face to face support and advice.
There are a number of parent led groups which offer support for parents of children and young people with additional support needs. The groups also collaborate on a Borders-wide Parent Forum, which allows your views to be represented in service planning.
Borders Additional Needs Group: Galashiels based
Meeting of Minds: Coldstream based
EPIC: Peebles based
Right Click is an online programme for parents and carers from Scottish Autism. Find out more, and register for the Young Child, Teen, or Adult programme.
Young Carers
Sometimes siblings of autistic children or young people can experience additional pressures. Parents may wish to consider whether the siblings of their autistic child(ren) are eligible for support as young carers. Ask school staff for information about the Scottish Borders CHIMES service
Independent advice and support
Enquire offer independent support and advice to parents and young people.
Health Improvement Scotland
Information booklets to explain the recommendations in the SIGN clinical guidelines for assessment and interventions. There is a booklet for young people and one for parent carers.
Large print and alternative language versions can be found here
asdinfowales
Asdinfowales has lots of useful information and advice for parent carers, including guides following diagnosis, videos, advice sheets and practical resources.
Please be aware that there will asdinfowales material will contain some information on legislation, services and supports that are not generally applicable to Scotland. A link to this resource has nevertheless been included because of the high quality of the material provided.
For parent carers of children and young people
For parent carers of autistic adults
Check out the Professionals section for more information and resources that may be helpful to you.