Specialist school hosts training for Sussex Police to strengthen understanding on neurodiversity

The award-winning specialist school based in Hassocks invited Sussex Police Child and Young Person Team and Neighbourhood Youth Officers to encourage officers to consider their interactions with autistic young people.

Led by Jess Wanstall, Therapy Lead and Speech and Language Therapist at LVS Hassocks, the session drew on the school’s experience of supporting autistic young people and explored how autism can influence communication, behaviour and engagement.

Areas covered during the session included; increasing understanding of autism in young people, exploring how autism can influence communication, behaviour and engagement, considering how interactions with police and schools may feel for autistic young people and sharing practical approaches to support positive engagement and reduce escalation

Therapist Jess Wanstall said: “It was really encouraging to see how engaged the officers were throughout the training. They asked thoughtful questions, shared their experiences and showed a genuine interest in developing their understanding of neurodivergence and how best to support young people.

“What particularly stood out was their willingness to think critically about how they could apply what they had learnt in practice, including how to balance understanding and accommodating a young person’s needs with their legal responsibilities.

“This is what makes training like this so valuable. It’s not just about increasing knowledge; it’s about helping professionals see situations from a different perspective and consider how small changes in their approach can make a meaningful difference to a young person’s experience.”

The Child and Young Person Team Inspector Fiona Fahey commented: “The training was both comprehensive and highly relevant to our policing context in Sussex. It provided valuable insight into the experiences of autistic children and young people who come into contact with the Youth Justice System, while also highlighting the wider experiences of autistic adults and others with SEND needs within the Criminal Justice System.

“The session encouraged meaningful discussion and gave officers practical strategies and greater confidence in how they can adapt their approach to better support neurodivergent individuals.”

The session also explored how these approaches could be applied across different circumstances, from interactions with young people who may be involved in offending to supporting neurodivergent young people who are victims of crime.

The school thanked the Sussex Police Child and Young Person Team and neighbourhood Youth Officers for their participation and for contributing openly to the discussions throughout the session.

For more information about LVS Hassocks, please visit https://www.lvs-hassocks.org.uk/.