STEP BY STEP: A SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
Admissions Policy
Admissions Criteria
All applicants will have a Statement of Special Educational Needs with a primary
diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. We expect that applicants may also have
one or more of the following associated conditions:
 speech and language difficulties
 specific learning difficulties
 dyslexia
 dyspraxia
 fine and gross motor difficulties
 motor planning and co-ordination problems
 sensory processing difficulties
 perceptual difficulties
 ADD / ADHD
Priority is given to those children whose needs can be appropriately met through our
highly individualised provision:
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autism specific school
staff with highly specialised autism training
intensive 1 to 1 teaching
highly individualised teaching programs
termly reviews that involve parents and a cross-functional team of specialists
mix of group and individual teaching
very small class size children with mixed abilities
weekly group and direct 1 to 1 SALT and OT sessions
use of visual support, including signing and PECS
individualised and consistently implemented behaviour plan
Consideration will be given to applications made by Local Authorities on behalf of
children who, in the opinion of the School, will be able to benefit from the provision
available. When applications for admission exceed the number of places available,
the remaining places will be allocated to children who, in the opinion of the School
Director and Teacher in Charge, will most benefit from the provision available.
STEP BY STEP: A SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
Admissions Process
Applications are normally made through the Local Education Authority in whose area
the family resides. Step by Step currently admits children from approximately seven
different LEAs. Pupils can be admitted to Step by Step following:
A referral from their LEA, assessment of suitability of placement by the Teacher in
Charge/Education Consultant/School Director, and the acceptance by the LEA of the
placement offer and responsibility for the termly fees
Or:
A decision at a Tribunal that Step by Step School will provide for a child’s Special
Educational Needs.
Assessment process
Referrals are usually made by the LEAs following their own assessments and where
the agreed conclusion is that the child’s needs cannot be met within their maintained
local mainstream, unit or special school provision. No charge is made to the LEA for
assessment of pupils at Step by Step. Any assessment would normally be carried out
no more than one year in advance of a potential placement. The referral process
usually commences by the LEA sending all relevant papers to the school for
consideration.
Step by Step School offers unique provision based upon each of its pupils’ individual
needs. Consequently, the procedure for assessing a potential pupil’s suitability for
placement is flexible and conducted according to individual circumstances. However,
the main focus of our assessment process is on determining the potential pupil’s
needs and whether or not these could be met as a result of a placement at Step by
Step.
The process does not involve conducting standardised assessments but we do ask
for any formal documentation providing professional opinions regarding the potential
pupil and this is reviewed and considered.
If having reviewed the relevant paperwork it is felt that, on principal, the child meets
our criteria for a place at the school we conduct an observation of the child. This
forms the main component of our assessment process and occurs either within the
current school and/or home setting. Furthermore, on occasion, we request that the
potential pupil spend some time being observed within the Step by Step environment.
The nature of the provision at Step by Step means that a significant proportion of
individual programs are dedicated to reducing barriers to learning; each pupil has an
individualised Behaviour Plan, which forms an integral part of our daily teaching.
The focus of the observation is to assess any behaviour that the child exhibits which
may present as a barrier to learning or be potentially harmful to the child or another
STEP BY STEP: A SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
individual. Any such behaviour is analysed, taking into consideration our approaches
to behaviour management and teaching.
During the observation, details are also recorded providing information about the
potential pupil’s:
 general demeanour
 key skills which are of strength or weakness
 listening and attention abilities
 independence
 speech, language and communication skills
 social interaction skills
 sensory issues
 play skills
 self-help skills
In addition to observing the potential pupil, discussions are held between Step by
Step staff and other people present to ascertain relevant information.
Main steps in the process:
1. Family History Questionnaire completed & submitted by parents/carers
2. Questionnaire & other relevant paperwork reviewed by Teacher in
Charge/Education Consultant
3. If, after initial overview of information, pupil is considered a possible candidate
for place, arrangements made to observe pupil
4. Observation carried out by Teacher in Charge/Education Consultant in pupil’s
current setting (school or home)
5. Discussion held between Teacher in Charge/Education Consultant & others
present during observation (parents/carers/Key worker/Class teacher/support
worker, etc)
6. Details of observation recorded
7. Teacher in Charge, Education Consultant & School Director discuss pupil’s
needs, areas of strength/weakness, etc in relation to provision available,
taking into consideration pupil numbers & population, staffing, etc
8. Decision made and parents/LEA informed
If the outcome of the assessment is positive and a place is offered to the LEA, this
can begin as soon as is practically possible and beneficial for the child, and can be
immediate where appropriate, subject to the school’s terms and conditions detailed
below. At this point, a transition plan will be drawn up to assist the pupil’s transfer to
Step by Step.
The school will also consider papers sent in by parents in order to gauge the
appropriateness of a potential placement at Step by Step and to assist them in
deciding whether to pursue a formal request to their LEA.
STEP BY STEP: A SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN
Special Educational Needs Tribunals
On those occasions when parents appeal to an SEN Tribunal over the issue of
placement, the school will endeavour to assess the suitability of placement for the
child at the request of parents who can provide evidence of the formal Appeal being
in place. This will be done at no cost to the parents or to the LEA, and wherever
possible will be done before the date of the Tribunal hearing in order to advise if a
placement would be offered/is available.
Step by Step seeks to co-operate fully with parents, LEAs and other agencies as
appropriate to the welfare of the child, and to maintain a good working relationship
with all involved
Terms and conditions
Offers of admission are made subject to:
 A signed funding agreement being received from the LEA accepting financial
responsibility for the placement.
 Appropriate transport being in place, either as part of an arrangement with the
LEA or other approved agency, or by parent, other family member or known
associate of the family.
 All relevant documentation and paperwork being received by the school as
soon as possible so that we are fully aware of a child’s history and needs, and
have appropriate parental consent regarding school operations .
 The placement being reviewed annually or before if there is a significant
cause for concern regarding the continued suitability of a child’s placement
here.
Updated May 2015 (DF/CC)
Review due May 2017