Carlibar Communication Service (CCS) provides placement and outreach support for children who are registered to East Renfrewshire primary schools who have significant language and social communication needs, many of whom will have an autism spectrum condition. While the vast majority of children with social communication differences will have their needs met in mainstream with the appropriate level of differentiation and adaptation, there are some children who require more enhanced, targeted support within a specialist context.
Children who require full-time placement in CCS are, in almost all cases, identified in the early years prior to school enrolment (except in exceptional circumstances, such as a child moving into the authority). Equally, most of the children who require part-time placement are identified in the early years too.
Support from CCS may be appropriate in cases where there is an extremely high level of distressed behaviour that can, in part, be accounted for by underlying social communication needs. Referrals can be made in circumstances where staff are concerned about how these present risks to the child’s development, adaptability, mental wellbeing or inclusion. In most cases, referrals for support from the CCS will be for outreach. A small number of dedicated CCS Outreach teachers work peripatetically across the local authority to support children and young people in their own school context.
Referrals are made to the local authority Education Resource Group (ERG) for this type of support by the school link Educational Psychologist where schools have evidenced a robust, evaluated wellbeing assessment and plan that has been in place for a reasonable period of time, and where the principles of staged intervention have been followed. There should be clear evidence that the school’s ASD advisor has been involved in ensuring that targets and interventions are in line with best practice. CCS and the Educational Psychology Service work in partnership to deliver training in this area within the ASD Advisors Forum that is open to all schools, in order to support inclusive practice.
Discussions about the appropriateness of referral for CCS support usually begins within the context of the school Joint Support Team or a wellbeing plan review meeting. If a child or young person is being referred for this support the school will need to submit an evaluated wellbeing plan that details the child’s strengths and needs, their targets, as well as previous and current supports.
More information about the service can be found on the CCS website
