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Cornwall AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Team
Services and organisations that have the Local Offer flash have filled out inclusion information, meaning that they meet the needs of people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Cornwall Council AAC Team is one of seral SEN Support Services which are part of the Cornwall Council ‘Together for Families’ Directorate. The team comprises of two part time AAC Technical Officers and one full time AAC Adviser supporting children and young people who use high tech communication aids.

Currently, Cornwall Council’s AAC Team provide Apple devices for communication purposes.  The decision to use these devices is based on experience and research.  The functionality, safeguarding and monitoring systems meet the needs of the children and young people most effectively.

The AAC Technical Officer can organize repairs to loaned communication aids, provide long-term advice, guidance, training and resources to the student, their family and their educational setting. 

The AAC Adviser can support students across Cornwall in accessing their loaned communication aids in educational settings, providing support to teaching and support staff in implementing the communication aid effectively, promoting inclusion and signposting to other agencies where applicable.

The AAC team works alongside Specialist (AAC) Speech and Language Therapists to form the Cornwall AAC Assessment Team (CAACAT). Referral for assessment and trial of a high-tech communication aid must be made by a Speech Therapist.

Children referred may have little or no speech but are able to understand language. These children are likely to have used low tech systems such as Makaton, photos or symbols to help them express themselves but have now reached a stage where a more sophisticated system is needed.

Who to contact

Contact name
Rachael Lethbridge
Contact position
AAC Lead, Cornwall Council
Telephone
03001234101
E-mail
aacsupport@cornwall.gov.uk
Website
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/.../aac

Time / date details

Time of day
Afternoon

Other details

Availability

Age ranges
From 2 years to 25 years
Referral required
Yes
Referral details

Referral to Cornwall AAC Assessment Team (CAACAT) must be done through the student's Speech and Language Therapist.

 

Inclusion details

Saint Piran's Flag
How we make our service inclusive

Specialist training and services provided in settings which are accessible to children, parents, carers and education staff.

Staff SEND experience

Physical and learning disabilities

Sensory Impairment 

Technological experience

Makaton signing

Knowledge of developments worldwide in the field of AAC

Exam Access arrangements knowledge for those young people using AAC

How our service supports providers / schools / colleges

When an AAC device is provided the child's setting will receive the appropriate training needed in order to support its use. Once a device is set up, settings are eligible for support from the AAC Adviser in the AAC Team at Cornwall Council, our webpage holds more details for this service; www.cornwall.gov.uk/AAC

Support at key transition points

Further training can be available at key transitions when new staff become involved. AAC Technical officers are appointed to the child using the council equipment for long-term support and can offer advice and resources on key transitions. Support is bespoke and on an individual basis for the needs of the young person and the parents/carers and settings supporting that young person.

Other local or national support

For local information and downloadable resources please see the Council AAC Team webpage

For information about the Specialist AAC Team please see AAC West of England Specialist Team (AAC WEST) Service | North Bristol NHS Trust (nbt.nhs.uk)

For national information please see the charity; Communication Matters

For support with other forms of AAC (not high-tech) please see Communication Support Team - Cornwall Council

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) | Care and Support in Cornwall

 

Resolving disagreements, mediation and making complaints

In the first instance please contact us via AACSupport@cornwall.gov.uk  or by calling 03001234101. If your concern isn’t resolved, please follow the  Cornwall Council comments and complaints procedure.

Last updated: 21/11/2023

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