THOMAS Outreach Programme - Hampshire County Council

THOMAS Outreach programme (TOP)

TOP is an educational service for preschool children (between 2 and 4 years old) with social communication difficulties or autism. Children who are part of the TOP programme will be attending (or planning to attend) a mainstream preschool and planning to attend a mainstream school. The service will typically support children until the end of their first term in mainstream school.

TOP is delivered from a number of specialist educational settings across Hampshire and each centre will have a nominated TOP worker and TOP teacher. TOP workers are specialist practitioners who are experienced in working with young children with social communication difficulties and autism. A TOP worker will offer regular support to a child on the programme both at home and in their preschool /school and will work with parents and practitioners to put in place strategies to support a child’s learning and development. They will also facilitate transitions between settings (for example when a child transfers from preschool to school), working in partnership with parents and other key adults involved.

If you would like to know more about TOP, please look at Hampshire's Local Offer or contact Dr Nikki Bovier on the above.