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WE HAVE NEW GROUPS!
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST BEING TAKEN BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL GROUPS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
How do I book?
Use the booking link below!
Does my young person need a diagnosis to attend?
No, we welcome Autistic young people who are awaiting assessment and self-identified as Autistic. It is essential that your young person knows they are or may be Autistic though.
Are these groups only for Autistic young people?
At the moment, yes.Â
How long do the groups run for?
Most of our groups run without an end date and with pre-arranged breaks. Once your person has a place, they keep that place for as long as they want it (subject to Terms and Conditions). Book Club and Taylor Swift initially run for 13 weeks.
What happens after I book?
Once we have enough bookings to start the group then you will receive an email to notify you along with an invoice. Until that time, feel free to reach out for an update and please share details of our groups far and wide!
About 7 days before the group starts you’ll be sent our GROVE Group Guide with all the information needed to join.
How do I pay? And what does it cost?
Invoices will be sent once we have enough bookings to run and will be sent monthly thereafter.
A full-price space is £25 per session and that is charged if the group is funded via an EHCP / professionally in any capacity (including by personal budget when a parent/carer pays using LA funds), if a parent/carer is self-funding we discount that to £15 per session.Â
Can we have a trial?
As we re-book monthly, your first month is like a trial anyway – you are not committed beyond that and if it’s not working out for your young person you can give up their space at that point. Â
How does the waiting list work?
Group places will become available from time to time, so please join the no-obligation waiting list for a group your young person would like to attend. If we have enough people on the waiting list this also enables us to consider creating a second group for them.
How can I book a session that is funded by an EHCP / EOTAS / EOTIS, personal budget or any other professional means?
It’s no different if you have a personal budget – just go ahead and book.
If you need us to invoice someone else and already have agreement for funding, you can email Jess on jess@gr0ve.org to reserve a space.
Please do not book until you have LA agreement for funding – if you need help with that we are happy to write personalised letters of recommendation using EHCP targets/outcomes, just email to enquire.
More FAQ’s can be found at the bottom of this page.
Click on ‘Learn more’ and then ‘show more‘ to expand the box for full group details!
All groups run weekly – you are booking a long-term group; not a single session.
Costs vary from £15-25 per session depending on how it is funded.
Once we have enough spaces booked we will email you and invoice and an Information & Booking form.
Please only book if you’re ready to commit – spaces are limited.
SUMBIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
As we create new groups we always look at what people have asked for – if you would like to suggest a group topic/theme then please submit an Expression of Interest form. Jess will be in touch if we are able to offer something; please feel free to email for an update at any time.
OUR GROUPS OFFER YOUR CHILD:
Connection to other Autistic people
A place to be authentically themselves
Acceptance, belonging & validation
A safe environment
A chance for lasting friendship
Joy & fun
Support & understanding from those with similar lived experience
Positive Autistic identity that can increase self-esteem
Self-understanding
Self-worth & self-esteem
Frequently Asked Questions: GROUPS
CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE WITH THEIR CAMERA OFF?
Yes! We have guidelines for safety to verify who is in attendance but we are very happy working with our young people off camera.Â
MY LOCAL AUTHORITY WON'T PAY IN ADVANCE - HOW CAN WE WORK THIS OUT?
When you book you will be asked to complete a form telling us how you are funding the sessions. If you are funding via professional means (i.e. EHCP, Section 19, school, EOTAS/EOTIS) and they will not pay in advance then Jess will get in touch to discuss the approach.Â
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY IF MY CHILD CHANGES THEIR MIND OR IS UNABLE TO ATTEND?
Terms and Conditions can be viewed on our Policies page.Â
CAN MY CHILD PARTICIPATE VIA TYPED CHAT OR AAC?
Yes! We suppose whatever communincation method your young person needs.
MY CHILD PREFERS TO BE WITH OLDER CHILDREN/YP - IS THAT OK?
We put suggested age ranges – please make the choice that is best for your own child. Â
WILL GROUPS BE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE UK?
Yes – we are able to welcome young people from certain countries – please email to check before booking.