Kent and beyond

It’s now been three years since Kent Autism Education Service (KAES) was launched.

It’s been a very busy three years. The work I undertake with families varies enormously, usually depending on where their children are on their journey through the education system. When I established KAES, I consciously offered a broad range of services:

• working directly with children and young children at home and in school,

• working alongside families through the EHC needs assessment process,

• working as a Representative for parents and young people navigating the appeal process,

• working with and delivering training to schools, colleges, tuition providers and parent groups.

I had thought that over time, one area of work emerge as the most frequently requested. This hasn’t actually been the case and I find that I’m continuing to work equally all services.

What I’ve found surprising is how many enquiries I receive from families outside of Kent. I frequently work with families living in in East and West Sussex, Surrey, Essex, the London Boroughs and much further afield, including families moving to the UK. So, although I named the business Kent Autism Education Service, this is proving a little inaccurate!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be adding posts about the current issues and challenges that are being experienced by families as they navigate the education system with and for their children.

Currently, issues around school attendance (i.e. the expectations of schools, LAs and Government) are causing significant worry and anxiety to the families that contact me, so I think that would be a good place to start…

With very warm wishes.

Louise