Autism Resourced Provision (ARP) - Hackney Primary and Secondary Schools

Service details

What is an ARP (Autism Resource Provision)?

Most autistic children in Hackney are supported within mainstream schools. Hackney’s Autism Additional Resource Provisions, or autism ‘ARP’s, offer additional specialist support within a mainstream school environment. ARPs are designed to best meet the needs of autistic children who are able to access the National Curriculum but also offer support to those with a higher level of need.


Notification: SENCos making new requests for children and young people to be considered for places in ARPs

SENCOs wishing to put pupils forward for consideration by the panel for places starting in the following September are advised to request at the child’s annual review, ensuring that they have taken into account the preferences of the parent or carer. 

What support is offered to pupils with places at ARPs within mainstream schools?

ARP placements:

  • Provide highly specialist support that enables autistic children and young people to make progress towards their identified priority goals
  • Support strong links with mainstream classes and the mainstream curriculum
  • Offer a flexible approach to best meet the presenting needs of the student

How many primary schools in Hackney have Autism Resourced Provision?

Hackney has 6 Primary Schools with ARPs

Primary placements are provided through:

Each Primary School with an ARP supports 10 to 12 children in total across this phase of education.

How many secondary schools in Hackney have Autism Resourced Provision?

Hackney has 1 Secondary Academy with an ARP. The Secondary ARP is at Mossbourne Community Academy with 3 spaces in each Year 7 intake.

How can I apply for a place in an ARP school?

If you are interested in applying for an ARP place for your child:

  • Discuss this with your school's SENCo.
  • Visit the setting to explore their ARP support offer.
  • Speak with other professionals who work with and know your child.

Who decides if my child will be allocated a place in an ARP?

Hackney Education hosts an ARP decision panel at the end of the Autumn Term each year where applications are reviewed and available places allocated to children to start at the ARP the following September.

Some children join Primary ARPs in the reception year, but more often they move to an ARP provision some way through their time in primary school. Every year only a few spaces, in specific year groups, become available at each ARP.

Parents and SENCos need to be aware that a placement might be agreed for any of the ARP settings, not a specific one. The panel will take into account the parent's preferences and consider how local and convenient the placement will be. The panel also considers siblings at the mainstream school when allocating a place.

If your child is allocated an ARP place, you will be notified by the EHC Planning Team in the Spring term. They will ask whether or not you would like to accept it. If you accept the place, the ARP will lead a thorough transition process with the involvement of external professional support, to prepare your child for their September start.

How are places allocated for the secondary ARP?

Each year a special decision panel allocates 3 new Year 7 spaces for the secondary ARP.

The panel also considers any ARP places that become available higher up in the school if children originally placed at the ARP have left.

Many other children with autism attend the mainstream part of these schools accessing more typical mainstream SEND support.

How do ARPs work closely with parents?

ARPs support close working with parents in different ways, for example through regular virtual or in-person workshops, face-to-face meetings, or email updates. The settings also continue communicating with parents of children in ARPs as they do with all parents in the school community through parents’ evenings.

What if my child needs school transport support to get to and from the school they have been allocated?

Parents who have a child who needs school transport assistance can apply to Hackney SEND Travel Assistance Service.

What will my child study in the ARP?

All pupils in the Autism Resource Provision (ARP) have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. This is differentiated where appropriate based on thorough ongoing assessment incorporating National Curriculum Targets and Early Learning Goals alongside SCERTS Social Communication (SC), Emotional Regulation (ER), and Transactional Support (TS) targets.

As well as learning in class, pupils in the ARP take part in a varied programme which may include community visits, swimming sessions, or even horse riding. These exciting and engaging learning opportunities are based on the pupil’s interests. Specific autism supports are used to ensure that individual pupils make progress and experience success.

Setting individual targets

Personalised or IEP targets are set and reviewed 3 times a year.

These reviews will be in discussion with you. They will include learning goals for your child in reading, writing, maths, and Autism specific skills, such as Communication and Interaction, increasing flexibility, and understanding feelings and behaviour.

What differentiated approach to autism support will settings use?

No single autism programme or approach is used. ARPs will set up a differentiated curriculum for autistic children that builds on the Early Years and National Curriculum, with additional intervention that supports progress towards priority goals such as; Intensive Interaction, Makaton, Social Stories, or sensory integration programmes. 

You can find information about support for children who are autistic in Hackney Education's Approaches to Autism guidance here

Enhanced support from specialist staff

During their time at the ARP, your child will be supported by a team of specialists staff. This will include a lead ARP teacher, Speech and Language Therapist, and Learning Support Assistants.

Hackney's ARPs have some strategic support from a link Specialist Teacher and an Educational Psychologist.

Extra external support may include

How will my child be included within the wider mainstream school environment?

Interaction with children accessing mainstream provision in the setting will be encouraged and supported. Staff will look for opportunities for inclusion at a pace appropriate for individual pupils accessing the ARP.

To find out more contact the Autism Resource Provision lead at the Schools.

SEND Local Offer

Local Offer Age Bands
Primary 4 -10
Secondary 11-14
Preparing for Adulthood 14-18
SEN Provision Type
  • Targeted

Who to contact

Contact Name
SEND Business Support
Telephone
0208 820 7000 / option 4 0208 820 7000 / option 4
E-mail
SENDBusinessSupport@hackney.gov.uk

Where to go

Address
Hackney Intergrated SEND Services
Hackney Service Centre, Floor 3
Hillman Street
Postcode

E8 1DY

View E8 1DY on a map

Other details

Who is eligible?

Criteria for a place at one of Hackney’s autism ARPs 2023

  • Pupils diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Condition or on the pathway to diagnosis, as agreed by service professionals.
  • Pupils whose parents express a preference for specialist support through an ARP placement.
  • Pupils with an EHC plan who require support over and above that which a mainstream school can provide
Referral required?

Yes

What to do if you have a complaint

If you have any feedback on the ARP process, talk it through with your school's SENCo or autism ARP decision panel lead. 

If you are still not happy with the service you can raise your concerns formally. This means someone who is not part of the service will look at your feedback or concern and see if anything can or needs to be done to help make things better.

If you need to make a formal complaint you can use the London Borough of Hackney complaints procedure.

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