Autism Inclusion Award
The Autism Accreditation Programme consists of three different awards: the Autism Specialist Award, the Autism Inclusion Award, and the Autism Friendly Award. It is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme of support and development for all those providing services to autistic people.
The Autism Inclusion Award is tailored to mainstream providers in mainstream education (nursery to further education), general health providers, the Criminal Justice System, and community-based activity groups.
Who is the award for?
- Mainstream education (nursery to further education)
- General health providers
- Criminal Justice System
- Community-based activity groups
- Advice and guidance services
The Autism Inclusion Award process:
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Step 1: Registration
Register with the award and agree the relevant package of support to suit your needs. These are:
Independent Assessment Package
This plan works best for provisions that are confident about their autism practice and wish to receive validation from the National Autistic Society.
Developmental Support Package
This plan works best for provisions that would appreciate advice and support in identifying areas they should work on before seeking validation from the National Autistic Society.
Support and guidance can be requested at any point with either plan for an additional charge.
Step 2: Self-evaluation and action planning
Reflect on current practice within the provision in order to complete the relevant autism specific framework and develop an action plan. Work on the identified developments within your action plan.
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- The assessment date will be agreed between the accreditation programme consultant and provision
- Assessment is via a submission of an application form
- The assessment involves an online audit of the application form and supporting evidence within this, scrutiny of case studies relating to autism practice, discussions with key stakeholders and feedback from an anonymous stakeholder questionnaire
- The assessment will take one day
- An evaluation checklist will be completed by the consultant.
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- Assessments are measured against specific criteria that demonstrate the provision can successfully achieve the Autism Inclusion Award
- A licence to use the Autism Inclusion Award Mark will be issued along with an e-certificate for organisations that achieve the award.
Once your organisation has the award, you'll be able to enjoy the following benefits:
- Use of the Autism Inclusion Award logo on promotional materials once the status is granted, and licence agreement signed
- A press pack containing guidance on how to publicise your accreditation achievement externally
- Invitations to free accreditation and raising the standards days
- 10% discount to National Autistic Society conferences
- An opportunity for staff to continue professional development
- Access to the wider Autism Accreditation Community.
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Inclusion status will be reconfirmed upon request from the provision after an agreed period of time (we would recommend every three years). The provision may wish to consider applying for the Autism Specialist Award to take their autism practice even further.
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Inclusion award fees start from:
- £825 for Independent Assessment Packages, including your digital assessment, award certificate and logo (if achieved)
- £1,650 for Advisory Support Assessment packages, including an onsite visit, virtual meeting, digital assessment, award certificate and logo (if achieved).
Additional support via virtual meeting or onsite visits are available for an extra charge.
We can also offer combined awards for mainstream schools who wish to apply for the Autism Inclusion Award with specialist resource bases who wish to apply for the Autism Specialist Award. You can find out more by clicking on the 'Enquire about applying for Autism Accreditation' option below.
Arlesdene Nursery and Pre-School
Congratulations to Arlesdene Nursery and Pre-school on gaining the Autism Inclusion Award.
Holy Trinity Primary School
Holy Trinity Primary School was one of the very first winners of our Autism Inclusion Award.
In partnership with
