Steps & Stages

Formerly known as a School for Parents, the Steps & Stages programme is funded by Norfolk County Council and the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board. Steps & Stages offers specialist early interventions that promote the development of pre-school children, who have a range of special educational needs and disabilities. Sessions are holistically tailored to meet the specific needs of every child, and are provided, FREE, to families of children:

with delayed development or motor learning difficulties;
with confirmed or suspected Autism Spectrum Conditions;
who require support with social interactions;
who face developmental challenges relating to complex sensory needs and/or communication/engagement.

The highly skilled and trained Steps & Stages team are dedicated to helping parents and carers learn essential techniques that support their child’s physical, social, and cognitive development; informed and inspired by a range of specialist early intervention approaches, including, but not limited to:

Conductive Education

The Conductive Education (CE) philosophy developed by Peto in Hungary is based on the belief that every young child has the capability to improve their neural connections through a properly guided programme. This is an approach that works most effectively with young children while their neural pathways are still developing rapidly.

Attention Autism

Attention Autism is an early intervention model designed by Gina Davies, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. It aims to develop natural and spontaneous communication through the use of visually based and highly motivating activities. This model helps to build the foundations of communication through, teaching turn-taking, capturing attention, sustaining engagement, and developing interactions.

The Steps & Stages programme runs no less than 4 sessions weekly (during term-time). Children benefit from a fun play session alongside other children who have similar challenges and experiences; they get personalised support in a ‘play group’ that develops skills to improve their independence. Parents and carers benefit from learning strategies that can be used at home to meet the development needs of their individual child; they also form important friendships that provide long-term peer support.

For information on accessing this service, please contact the Family Services team by calling 01603 414109 or email enquiries@nansa.org.uk