At the Social Skills Agency, we understand that people will seek our support in different ways at different times in their lives.  Our team often support children, young people and their families through the following services;

• Social communication learning programmes through individual or group sessions
• Parent Support Strategies
• Classroom and Inclusion Strategies

At the Social Skills Agency, our programmes are tailored to the individual needs of the participants. We listen to children and young people’s struggles and help them to get through their difficult moments. Topics may include:

• Play and conversation skills – turn taking, greeting peers, sharing, and understanding multiple perspectives
• Teamwork – negotiation and compromising
• Understanding friendships
• Accepting yourself – self-esteem and resilience

Our Groups & Clubs (10-25 years old)

• Drama / Creative club (10-18 years old)
• Music club  (13-25 years old)

Saturdays at Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, BS3 4EA, Bristol.

Pre-employment skills (15-25 year-olds)

One-to-one or small group sessions:

• 4 x 1 hour session of organisational strategies – executive functioning skills strategies for secondary school, college and beyond (Parents/ carers must attend session 4)
• Pre-employment skills – 1 hour sessions

Adult Social Skills Programme

• One-to-one and coaching sessions. Topics may include: work, relationships, meeting new people, social etiquette practices in Cafes and restaurants.

For people outside Bristol – We can offer one-to-one support, including Classroom and Parent Support Strategies, according to identified needs. Price £150 / £75 per term – Families and Young People can access our clubs through Social Care funding, Personal Budgets, Direct Payments, or private funding. For families on low income the Social Skills Agency can agree on a monthly direct debit payment, as per Social Skills Agency discretion. The aims of our groups and clubs are to:

1. Engage and involve children and young people through shared interests, which is essential for getting everybody excited about learning. We build upon a passion that is already an integral part of each person’s identity.
2. Reveal (expose) the social concepts and rules within groups and general social interactions to promote social learning.
3. Provide real-life opportunities for practice. Through our groups and clubs, children and young people can practice social interactions and consolidate their social communication abilities through on-going social exposure and safe, positive coaching.

Each club and group runs during school terms. They are offered as a 6-week package, which can be continued according to need. We can also offer School Holiday Intensive Social Learning Programmes.

Professional development for Schools, Museums and Art Galleries

Schools

• Autism Training Introduction

• Using Drama to Support Social and Emotional Learning

• The Inclusion Programme for mainstream schools

“The feedback was excellent from staff. Thank you for delivering such a great session.” Trystan.Williams, Headteacher of Venturers’ Academy, first all age specialist provision in Bristol for children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC)

Museums, Art & Cultural Institutions

• Access & Engagement

“It has been incredibly useful working with Social Skills Agency to help to develop a programme that can be accessible for all. Adri’s advice, enthusiasm and knowledge are invaluable and her positive approach to tackling barriers has empowered us to start taking action now to improve our ways of working.” Clare Karslake, Assistant Curator of Learning, Arnolfini

“SSA’s autism awareness training was delivered with a great deal of insight, knowledge and warmth. With a wide spectrum of previous experience in the group, Adri pitched the session well to give everyone a good, thorough grounding that increased our confidence, and gave us a real desire to put learning into action.” Mel Scaffold, CEO, Theatre Bristol.

Interested? Contact us – office@socialskillsagency.org