Above all, children with complex and ongoing special needs which affect their communication and curricular access are welcome. No child is automatically offered an assessment, and appointments are made following approval at regular team meetings. Members of the experienced interdisciplinary team of teachers, therapists and technologists are involved in ACE Centre assessments. The assessment team work together, while parents and local professionals are invited to contribute their own ideas and expertise to the assessment process. Assessments are conducted in a friendly and informal atmosphere in which flexibility can be readily accommodated.
Assessments take place where, in the interests of the child, it is most appropriate.
This may be at the ACE Centre, at the child's school or, sometimes, at home. In practice, most first-time assessments are held at the ACE Centre because of the complexity of need and the opportunity to be flexible in providing optimal solutions. A detailed assessment report with a set of clear and realistic recommendations is circulated to key people involved with the child, and the ACE Centre encourages schools, local support services and health trusts to carry out these recommendations. In many cases the report is attached to a child's statement or annual review. If appropriate, equipment may be borrowed from the Centre's loan library for a trial period.