The Communication, Interaction and Autism Service (CIAS) forms part of the continuum of provision to meet the needs of children and young people with communication and interaction difficulties in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The CIAS supports children whose primary Special Educational Needs (SEN) arises out of communication and interaction difficulties, including Autism and speech language and communication needs.
The Purpose of the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service (CIAS)
- To advise, support and empower schools and settings to understand and meet the special educational needs of children with communication and interaction difficulties including Autism, speech, language and communication needs, to promote good educational progress and positive social inclusion in all aspects of school life.
- To plan and deliver specialist training programs to school staff, other professionals and parents, to promote understanding and best practice in supporting the special educational needs of children with communication and interaction needs across the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
- To work in partnership with other professionals to support statutory processes and fulfill statutory duties in relation to children with Determinations and a My Education Access Plan (MEAP).
- Management and support of the Communication, Interaction and Autism Bases. These are located within three mainstream schools - Forest Primary School, St Sampson's High School, La Mare de Carteret High School and Les Varendes High School.
- The CIAS information leaflet can be found
CIAS Information Leaflet [364kb]
Referrals to the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service
- Prior to any referral, the School SENCo will discuss concerns with the CIAS Advisory Teacher who will provide guidance on whether a referral to CIAS is appropriate. Once a referral is agreed, the completed and signed referral form is sent from the SENCo to the Advisory Teacher and should include:
- The Request for Involvement Form (written Parental Permission must be provided for all referrals)
- Communication & Interaction descriptors
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) and reviewed notes
- Any other relevant information e.g. reports from other services, academic levels, letter of diagnosis if appropriate, records of reviews etc.
Who the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service work with
- Education Services including:
- Primary and Secondary Schools
- Educational Psychology Service (EPS)
- School Attendance Service (SAS)
- Les Voies Outreach Service
- Health & Social Care Services including:
- Speech and Language Therapist Service (SaLT)
- Occupational Therapists (OT)
- Physiotherapists
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder Assessment Team (ASDAT)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Roles within the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service
- Head of Service
- Specialist Advisory Teachers
- Specialist Base Teachers
- Learning Support Mentors
- Learning Support Assistants
