At Barton School we have a person-centred approach to care that is designed to help students express their needs and wants and to become more independent. 

Our communication systems include elements of several approaches, tailored according to the preferences of each student, such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Makaton.

We continually update our library of communication tools to satisfy the ever changing wishes and needs of our students, who are encouraged to try new and develop their preferred methods of communication.

Outside of school, regular activities are planned to help students develop their skills in different environments. These include trips to the beach, local shops and bowling alley, as well as using our on-site ASD specific play area and IT suite. 

Behaviour support programmes are delivered alongside the students’ Individual Education Plans (IEP); these programmes encompass the individual behaviour support strategies and targets for each student.

The students’ key workers, teachers, speech and language therapist and families are invited to contribute to this at strategy meetings.

Barton has a full-time speech and language therapist and speech and language therapy assistant who work closely with the education and care staff to develop the communication skills of each student.

Additional clinical support is provided by Options Group’s Professional and Clinical Multidisciplinary Team (PCMT) and includes Psychology and Psychiatry input where needed.