Early learning centres and schools across Scotland are supporting autistic learners and their families during these extremly challenging times. From the 11th January learners will be accessing blended learning at home or within a hub/school if they are identified as vulnerable or the child of a keyworker.  

Autistic learners and their families may need individualised planning for this transition. The approach needs to take account of context and be relevant for the learners school stage and developmental level.

This page has a range of information and guidance to support learners, families and practitioners transition back to educational establishments. 

Information and guidance to support transitions - Scotland Learns 

Information, guidance and resources to support practitioners, learners and families during the COVID-19 pandemic is available on Education Scotland’s Corporate website and the National Improvement Hub. Scotland Learns has been developed in response to COVID-19 and has a wide range of ideas and suggestions of activities to help for practitioners , parents and carers. 

Specific guidance, information and resources have been developed by Education Scotland to support transitions for learners who require additional support during the COVID 19 pandemic. Select 'here' to access the link.  

Scottish Government COVID 19 Guidance 

The emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 means that reopening schools at this time would not be consistent with a safety-first approach for children, young people and school staff. These exceptional arrangements are being put in place as a precautionary measure in light of the latest developments in the path of the virus.

This guidance is intended to provide clarity on arrangements for school education at the start of term in January 2021. The arrangements set out in this guidance are currently expected to be in place until at least 1 February, subject to a further review in mid-January.

Select here to access the guidance

The National Parent Forum of Scotland has published some advice for parents and carers. This guide will answer as many concerns and  questions as possible about the new school term and give parents and carers a better idea of how the new school term will look and feel for children and for parents and families. Select 'here' to download the document. 

Engaging with learners - Supporting Mental Wellbeing.

During the pandemic a number of surveys have been carried out with learners highlighting a range of areas which are causing concern for some learners.  Supporting the wellbeing of all learners is a key priority as schools welcome back their pupils and support their transition from extended time at home to educational establishments. 

NEW: Back to School online resource 

The Children’s Parliament launched Back to School, an online resource for schools to support a rights-based approach to recovery.

The resource has been designed to help school staff to understand children’s experiences of lockdown and their wellbeing needs in the current context. The practical activities will support conversations between children, and between children and adults in school, giving time and space to pause, reflect and then recover. 

What's in the resource?

• Information from children (aged 8-14) about their experiences of lockdown
• A range of practical, creative, and rights-based activities designed to promote the recovery and wellbeing of children (P4 – S1/S2)

Who is the resource for? The resource has been designed for teachers and other school staff who will be supporting children’s recovery and wellbeing over the coming weeks and months.

How was the resource developed? The resource has been shaped by school staff and is a response to what children across Scotland have been telling us about their experiences of lockdown. The resource was funded by the Scottish Government Wellbeing Fund.

Further information is available at backtoschool.scot 

NEW: SHINE (Schools Health and Wellbeing Improvement Research Network) 

TeenCovid Life Survey

SHINE published the results from their TeenCovidLife Survey on 10th August 2020. The survey highlights that the number of learners feeling lonely as 3 times higher during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown levels

Select 'here' to download the infographic highlighting the results from the TeenCovid Life survey

Select 'here' to download the TeenCovid Life summary survey results

Select 'here' to download the TeenCovid Life full survey results

Further information On SHINE and access the survey can be found here 

To access a range of free resources, advice and guidance developed to support autistic learners return to education establishments select the 'What learning and teaching resources are available to support transition and blended learning?' at the base of this page. 

NAIT have developed guidance in consultation with the autism community including: autistic people, parents of autistic individuals, professionals from health, education and third sector. It is intended to help school staff and partners apply good practice.

Webinar - Supporting the return to educational settings for autistic children and young people

A film of the webinar  held on  04.06.20 is available on Education Scotland’s U Tube channel. Below is the recording of the webinar. Click 'here' to download a PDF copy of the presentation.