Developing your AAC Service

Training & Education - Curriculum

The Barnsley AT Team offer a training curriculum for relevant professionals working within the Yorkshire and Humber NHS region. We offer training sessions, accredited educational courses and open days, we also host training by other providers including suppliers. This curriculum is reviewed and developed over time – if you have ideas or requests for future courses please do get in touch.  Please see the training schedule for dates of courses being offered.

We are also able to deliver any of these courses in your local area, provided you can provide a suitable venue and audience size. Please speak to us about your requirements.

If you would like to attend any of the courses but cannot attend the advertised date, or if the course isn’t currently advertised, please complete this web form https://www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk/assistive-technology/training-courses/

Our training courses are delivered free of charge, except where charges are required for accreditation (such as the Elklan AAC courses). Our courses are open to professionals working within the Yorkshire & Humberside region. Unfortunately we cannot accept parents or carers on our courses. Our courses are classed as either introductory, general or specialist level. Definitions are given below. We also set our course objectives against the IPAACKS framework.

Introductory: Participants will have limited or no prior knowledge of AAC or EC. These sessions are ideal for those who are just starting to work within the field of AAC or EC or may be involved at a strategic level (e.g. Service managers, commissioners).

General- These sessions are aimed at those who may work with AAC/EC on an occasional or even regular basis and have a reasonable awareness and understanding of AAC/EC assessment and technology (e.g. Specialist school therapists, teachers, adult community therapists) Some prior knowledge of AAC terminology is assumed but a glossary of terms and background information will be provided before the session.  

Specialist- These courses are aimed at those who work with AAC/EC on a regular basis and have several years experience.

Participants are assumed to have a good prior knowledge of AAC terminology as well as a range of AAC/EC assessments, hardware and software. Participants will likely have some or sole responsibility for AAC/EC provision as apart of their job role.