The Learning Support and Assessment Service delivers intensive assessment and learning support for children and young people across home and school settings. It is a second level service which provides further assessment and specialist support for autistic children and young people. The service employs a trans-disciplinary team, which includes Teachers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Autism Intervention Officers and Learning Support Officers. The service delivery is based on a capacity building model which provides:
- A detailed trans-disciplinary assessment and learning support plan
- Specific training for school staff working with the child and young person referred to the service
- Home support and advice for parents in relation to their child’s education
- Support for children and young people for up to 10 months according to need
Middletown Centre for Autism follows current Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Please see the following for information: information on MCA's Safeguarding Procedures click here
Referral Process in Republic of Ireland
When autistic children and young people experience significant difficulties in accessing and participating in the educational curriculum, the first course of action is engagement with first level services provided by the Department of Education’s National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Special Education and the Health Service Executive (HSE) services
As the MCA Pilot is a second-tier service and limited in nature, the nominations and referral process is initiated at school level following a multi-disciplinary school based consultation involving the young person, parents/guardians, NEPS, the local SENO and other relevant professionals.
Nominations to the MCA Referral Committee are considered for children and young people where such a consultation concludes that despite comprehensive engagement with first-tier services, the child or young person continues to present with significant concerns in their educational setting.
Nominations cannot be made by parents directly to Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA), the Department of Education and Youth or the Referral Committee.
If a parent feels that their child is experiencing difficulties in their educational setting, they should, in the first instance request support through their school, or by contacting their local SENO.
Referral Process NI
Referrals to Middletown Centre for Autism’s Learning Support and Assessment (LSA) service are made through a collaborative process involving the Education Authority (EA), educational settings and families.
Typically, before a referral to MCA is considered, the child or young person will already have received a graduated approach to support (see https://send.eani.org.uk/grf) This means the educational setting, family and EA Autism Specialist will have been working together over time to better understand the young person’s strengths, needs and experiences, while reviewing and adapting supports and approaches to better support learning.
Where further specialist involvement may be beneficial, the EA Autism Specialist may discuss a potential nomination with the school, family and, where appropriate, the young person themselves. Nominations are then considered through an EA panel process before any onward referral to MCA is made.
The overall aim of MCA support is to create environments, expectations and relationships in which the young person can engage with education in ways that respect their neurodivergence and support their wellbeing, learning and sense of belonging.