The rainbow infinity sign is the symbol for Neurodiversity. The gold infinity symbol represents Autistic Neurodivergent experience

Welcome!

Welcome to the Barnet Zone for Autistic people and their families, created in collaboration with Autistic young people in Barnet and their families.

The content on this site reflects the value we place on the voices and lived experiences of Autistic community, their allies, families and carers. In Barnet, we are dedicated to co-producing training and support materials with Autistic people. In addition, we are delighted to be able to use art created by a talented Barnet and Southgate College student.

We aim to support Autistic young people and their parents/ carers recognising their strengths and addressing difficulties they may face. Using content informed by Autistic people, we address environmental challenges and support inclusive educational practice.

Our efforts align with the National strategy for Autistic children, young people, and adults: 2021 to 2026, as outlined by the UK government National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026  (National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This national framework aligns with the Barnet Autism Strategy action plan a comprehensive action plan formed in 2019 through multi-agency collaboration.

Our goal is to ensure that Barnet provides high-quality support and guidance to its Autistic community across all services.

Within the Barnet Education and Learning Services (BELS), we take pride in our comprehensive support offer, featuring a dedicated team of advisory teachers and BEAM (Barnet Early Autism Model) facilitators.

 

Specialised Support offered

Our specialist teams offer support for all including:

The Scerts Model

Our holistic approach incorporates The SCERTS® Model, along with other evidence-based strategies, to provide robust support for Autistic young people in school. As we embark on this journey together, we invite you to explore and engage with the resources and support available within the Barnet Zone for Autistic individuals and their families.

The Autism Leading Edge Group

The Autism Leading Edge Group (LEG) in Barnet is a collaborative working group involving multiple agency professionals and Autistic people. This multi-disciplinary group co-produce policy, strategies, and support systems. They have created a comprehensive position statement for Barnet (link to position statement), outlining their guiding principles. This ensures that our support remains cutting-edge, aligning with the latest research and best practices in the field.

We invite Autistic individuals, their families, and professionals to join us as we develop this zone and encourage you to explore the resources and supports on offer so far. Our commitment to collaboration, shaped by the voices and experiences of the Autistic community, ensures that our offers are tailored and inclusive. Whether you are seeking guidance, training, or a supportive community, discover the possibilities within the Barnet Zone and embrace the opportunities for cultural change, connection, and success.

The Barnet Ethos

What is the Barnet Offer for Autistic Children and Young People?

Barnet Early Autism Model (BEAM)

BEAM is part of Barnet’s specialist autism services and has been designed for families of pre-school aged (0-4) . BEAM acts as an early support service based predominantly in the home and we also work with pre-school educational settings. Families receive sessions from a trained autism specialist facilitator, who will teach and model strategies through structured activities that are based on the needs of the individual child.  The support focuses on coaching parents to support their child’s development with a focus on:

  • Developing social communication skills
  • Developing joint attention skills
  • Developing play
  • Emotional regulation/sensory needs

Parents/carers can use the BEAM sessions to learn skills that they can apply consistently throughout the week. We encourage families to embrace neurodiversity and focus on a child’s strengths and interests in order to build on existing skills.

Support offered by our BEAM service goes beyond structured home-based sessions with a child and also includes:

  • Access to our BELS Autism Parent/Carer programme.
  • Partnership work with NHS Children’s Therapy Team (CIT)- Barnet Children's Integrated Therapies (CIT) (whittington.nhs.uk) and Early Years SEND Inclusion (EY SEND) Advisory team- Early Years SEND Advisory Team - Oakleigh School
  • Target setting informed by the SCERTS framework (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Supports)
  • Use of Autism specific approaches based on promoting predictability and generating intrinsic motivation. These strategies include TEACCH principles, using visuals, Colourful Semantics, PECS, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism and many more.
  • Support for preschool educational settings, to include modelling sessions, providing resources, observations and feedback (with next steps) and attending support plan meetings
  • Referrals to other services e.g. Early help, CIT team,
  • Support and signposting to outside agencies that provide support for families e.g., SENDIASS, MENCAP, Homestart, Family fund.
  • Support with Education Health Care Plans and Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) requests for nurseries.
  • Transition to school package of support- including information workshops and transition planning and meetings with new school staff.

How do I access support from Barnet Early Autism Model?

In order to access BEAM services, your child must:

  • Be a resident of Barnet
  • Have a diagnosis of Autism
  • Be preschool age (0-4 years old)
  • NOT be attending a Barnet specialist nursery (Acorn or Livingstone Kingfisher)

Referrals are often made by paediatricians at the point of a diagnosis of autism, however referrals can be made by parents / carers and other professionals using the Child Development Service referral form. To contact the team please email all enquiries to [email protected].

BELS Autism Parent/Carer Programme

The programme runs each term and was designed with input from parents/carers and includes the following sessions:

  • Autism in Early Years (delivered by BEAM teachers/facilitators)
  • Emotional regulation and Promoting Predictability (delivered BEAM teachers/facilitators)
  • Promoting Communication (delivered by Barnet NHS Speech Therapist)
  • Understanding Education and Health Care Plans (delivered by SENDIASS)
  • Understanding Sensory Processing (delivered by Barnet NHS Occupational Therapist)
  • Eating and Drinking Difficulties (delivered by Barnet NHS Occupational Therapist)
  • Sleep (delivered BEAM teachers/facilitators)
  • Toileting (delivered by BEAM teachers/facilitators and Barnet Parent)

How do I access the BELS Autism parent carer programme?

In order to access this programme you must:

  • Be a resident of Barnet
  • Have a child with a diagnosis of Autism
  • Be a parent of a child 0-6 years old

You can sign up for this course via an online booking form that can be found on the course flyer- please email [email protected]. 

More information: Barnet Early Autism Model (BEAM)

Barnet Autism Position Statement

Download a copy of the Barnet Autism Position Statement here

Barnet Autism Strategy Action Plan (ASAP)

This is a comprehensive action plan designed to enrich the lives and experiences of Autistic individuals, along with their families and caregivers, spanning education and community settings.

Rooted in the All-age National Autism Strategy 2021-2026, our local approach emphasises cultural change and an unwavering commitment to listening, learning, and co-producing with the Autistic community and their families and carers.

Download a copy of the Barnet ASAP here

Links to other sections of our Autism pages

About the Barnet Offer for Autistic Children and Young People
Information for Parents & Carers
Pre-school & Primary
Secondary & Post-16
Training and Events
Young People's Space
Resources

Other useful links

The Ordinarily Available document