BeyondAutism Fast Responder® pilot

Funded by City Bridge Foundation, we worked with three partners in 2022 to pilot the service; two London boroughs, and one Multi Academy Trust.

Our outcomes

• 96% of pupils remained in placements with no further suspensions.
• 100% positive feedback from schools via the feedback forms.
• 46% of those referred to the service were awaiting an autism assessment.
• 100% of school staff responded either ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ to the statement; ‘Going forward I feel confident implementing the recommendations that the Fast Responder team introduced’.

Our partners shared the following feedback:

• Increased staff confidence in understanding and supporting behaviours that challenge.
• Reduction in behaviours that challenge in school.
• Increased classroom and curriculum access.
• Better communication between staff and shared understanding due to the facilitation of group problem solving, discussion and sharing of ideas and information.

Exclusion can cost £370,000 throughout the life of an excluded child¹. Following the pilot, one of our Local Authority partners estimating the following savings:

• £1,611 per pupil with an EHCP (additional funding)
• £15,334 per pupil with SEN support (estimated cost avoidance if those on SEN support went on to have an EHCP)

1. Institute for Public Policy Research. Making the Difference (2017). Report by Kiran Gill, with Harry Quilter-Pinner and Danny Swift