Social Communication & Interaction Team Training 

A workshop specifically designed to support the families of pupils who have social communication and interaction needs. 

• 30/11/26, 9:30-12pm, Barnsley Town Hall, meeting room 11

To book your place visit Eventbrite here

3 face-to-face sessions for parents/carers of children and young people who have received a diagnosis of autism. Two places can be allocated to a family with the second place being given to a second parent/family member or significant other person within the child or young person’s life. Group members will learn about different aspects of autism, have opportunity to relate this learning to their own situation and have opportunities to network together. 

• Courses will be run according to need
•   Sessions are 9:45-2:45pm Venue TBC 

Expressions of interest should be made by parents/carers to 

louisestringer@barnsley.gov.uk

To book your place visit Eventbrite here

• 16/03/2026, 9:30 - 12:30, Barnsley Town Hall 

To book your place visit Eventbrite here

Using Lego to help develop the child’s knowledge, understanding and application of social skills and problem solving.

• 12/11/26  ~ 9:30 – 12:30pm, Barnsley Town Hall
• 15/3/27 ~ 9:30 - 12:30pm, Barnsley Town Hall

Parents/carers need to book a place via Eventbrite here

The Taster Session gives you a general introduction into what Makaton is, and who uses it, with the opportunity to learn a few signs and symbols too. This Taster has a focus around signs that we use in the early stages of communication.

• 24/11/26 -9:30-11:30,  TESCO Stairfoot Community Room
  
• 04/05/27 - 9:30-11:30, TESCO Stairfoot Community Room 

Contact gemmawhitfield@barnsley.gov.uk for further information or to book a place

Makaton Signing for Babies and Families training is a series of sessions designed to encourage the development of communication and language skills in babies and children. No previous experience is needed, the sessions are interactive and give you the opportunity to learn up to 100 signs and symbols using songs, games and activities. Some of the signs and symbols include; names of family members, signs related to eating and drinking, animals, transport and play. There is no particular age range specified for babies and young children, as children vary in their developmental milestones. Parent/carers you may have their child at home with you and you can have fun and learn together. They may even want to come and join in on screen!

The aim of this session is to help practitioners and teachers to be able to identify SCI needs in children and young people at the earliest opportunity. 

This course is now available as E-Learning on SEND Space and via the Local Offer website

If you have a question, please contact: hayleyaudin@barnsley.gov.

This workshop will be attended by parents and carers, schools/ settings, other professionals. This course introduces an understanding to autism. You will take away strategies that can be used to support and meet the needs of children and young people with autism in the setting. A webinar of this course will also be available if the below dates are not suitable.

• 06/10/25 ~ 9:30-12:30, Barnsley Town Hall (booking opens 1/9/25)
• 23/02/26 ~ 9:30-12:30, Barnsley Town Hall (booking opens 1/1/26)
• 04/06/26 ~ 9:30-12:30, Barnsley Town Hall (booking opens 1/4/26)

This workshop will be attended by parents and carers, schools/ settings, other professionals. We provide an introduction to how and why using Comic Strip Conversations and Social Stories can support children and young people with SCI needs. Learn how to write meaningful Social Stories within the session.

• 24/11/25 ~ 2 - 4pm, MS Teams (booking opens 1/9/25)
• 20/04/26 ~ 3:30 - 5:30pm, MS Teams (booking opens 1/1/26)
  

• Thursday 29th January 2026 10:00-12:00 Roundhouse Library (Athersley)
  
• Tuesday 21st April 2026 13:00-15:00 South Family Hub (Wombwell) 

This workshop will be attended by parents and carers, schools/ settings, other professionals. The aims of the session are to be aware of how girls with autism may present. To recognise how their differences impact them in school and to be able to use strategies that will help staff to support in schools/settings.

Autism and Girls - Spring 2027 

• 08/03/27 ~ 9:30 AM - 12 PM, Barnsley Town Hall

• 23/6/2026 ~ 9:30 AM - 12 PM, Barnsley Town Hall 

If you have a question, please contact: loramoore@barnsley.gov.uk

This workshop allows you to build an individual profile for a young person you are working with, so that you can recognise the possible underlying reasons for behaviour. You will learn how to analyse the behaviour you see in terms of Autism. 

• 06/11/26 ~ 9:30-12, Barnsley Town Hall Room 11
• 03/03/27 ~ 9:30-12, Barnsley Town Hall Room 11
• 18/06/27 ~ 9:30-12 Barnsley Town Hall Room 11

If you have a question, please contact: christophergoodchild@barnsley.gov.uk

This workshop will be attended by parents and carers, schools/ settings, other professionals. We will offer you the opportunity to look at why visual supports are important and help you to understand how to use and embed visual supports in your setting. The workshop focuses on Objects of reference, First and Then, Choice boards, Visual Timetables and Workstations.

• 06/11/25 ~ 9:30 -2:30pm, Barnsley Town Hall (booking opens 1/9/25)
  
• 29/04/26 ~ 10 - 3pm, Library@TheLightbox (booking opens 1/1/26)
  

If you have a question, please contact: gemmawhitfield@barnsley.gov.uk

Parents/carers need to book a place via Eventbrite here