We’re delighted to share that Kibble has been awarded Autism Accreditation by the National Autistic Society (NAS) across our child and youth care services. The award covers our three schools, residential houses, intensive services and our secure care centre.
This marks a significant milestone for Kibble, recognising our commitment to embedding trauma-informed and autism-inclusive practice across our services and providing high-quality, personalised support for children and young people.
The NAS Autism Accreditation Programme is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance schemes, requiring organisations to demonstrate a clear commitment to understanding autism and delivering high-quality, evidence-informed support. Services are assessed across key areas including emotional wellbeing, communication, relationships and sensory experiences.
The rigorous accreditation process was undertaken over several months, beginning with our early years children’s houses, Ness and Tay, in Lochwinnoch, before progressing to our residential children’s houses, North and Staffa, in Paisley.
Following their successful accreditation, the process was extended across our education services, with Forest View Primary, Goudie Academy and Mirin Academy all achieving accreditation. Together, our education provision is one of only 10 education settings in Scotland to currently be accredited by the National Autistic Society, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to autism-inclusive education.
The process then continued across our intensive residential children’s houses, Bute and Buchanan, which achieved Advanced Accreditation – the highest level awarded through the National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation programme, recognising high-quality autism practice. Most recently, our Safe Centre has also been awarded NAS accreditation, making us the first secure care provider in Scotland to achieve this recognition.
Assessors spent three days at our schools earlier this summer and found a rights-based, neuro-affirmative and trauma-informed approach. Assessors highlighted the inclusive environments created across all three schools, recognising the wide range of specialist approaches we use to help young people feel safe, understood and ready to learn. Our personalised support plans, visual communication tools, bespoke timetables, sensory resources and calm learning spaces ensure education is adapted to meet every learner’s communication, sensory and emotional needs.
At North and Staffa, assessors observed 14 sessions over two days in May. During this period, assessors praised the homely environment we have created within the houses, particularly praising the role of the House Parent who prepares delicious, freshly cooked meals and invites young people to get involved before sitting down at the table together. This provides an opportunity for young people to share how their day has been and has become a valued part of the evening routine.
At Ness and Tay, our primary-years campus in Lochwinnoch, our staff use visual methods, social stories and Makaton across both indoor and outdoor settings. At Bute and Buchanan, our intensive services, young people receive one-to-one and two-to-one support, with life skills taught in-house and regular community activities.
Dan Johnson, Executive Director and Forensic Psychologist at Kibble, said: “Achieving this across our services completes a journey we set out on to embed autism-responsive and trauma-informed care across Kibble.
“We know the importance of early intervention and creating environments where children and young people feel valued, listened to and supported. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and the strength of our approach.
“We hope it helps us play a leading role in demonstrating what high-quality, inclusive support looks like in practice.”
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “We are delighted that Kibble has achieved Autism Accreditation. The team should be exceptionally proud of their achievement and commitment towards improving support for autistic people.”
We support children and young people aged 5 to 26 who have experienced trauma and adversity, delivering integrated residential care, education and therapeutic services. Many of the young people we support have neurodevelopmental needs, including autism.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, Maree Todd MSP said: “Every child and young person deserves support that recognises and responds to their individual strengths, needs and experiences. I welcome Kibble’s achievement of National Autistic Society Autism Accreditation across its children’s services, which reflects a strong commitment to creating environments where autistic children and young people can thrive. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone.”