Information & Policies

Are you DBS checked?

Yes, I hold a current enhanced DBS and Teacher Reference Number (available on request).

How do I get in contact?

Email your query or give me a call. I’ll be in touch to discuss your needs and next steps. If my service isn’t the right fit, I may be able to suggest alternative support.

Why is My Autism Mentor remote?

Operating remotely allows me to offer flexible, accessible support to families, regardless of location. 

How do I pay?

Once your package is finalised, I'll send a payment link. Bank transfers are also accepted.

What are the mentoring sessions?

These are safe, supportive online sessions tailored to your child’s needs. They may include discussions about feelings, activities, and practical strategies, all chosen to help them feel understood and empowered.

How long do mentoring sessions last?

There’s no set duration—sessions can be short-term or ongoing, based entirely on what works best for your child.

My child hasn’t started talking about their worries. When will the therapy start?

My autism mentor offers guidance, not therapy. The aim is to provide supportive, low-demand interactions that help build trust. We can’t force discussion, but we offer a safe and patient space for them to open up in their own time.

When do I pay for mentoring sessions?

Full payment is required before the sessions takes place.

Can I reschedule or cancel my mentoring session?

• Rescheduling is possible, though new times may be limited due to schedule constraints.

• Cancelling is allowed, but refunds are not issued. It’s better to reschedule to a more convenient time.
  
  

Why was my referral not accepted?

Common reasons include a full caseload or that your child’s needs might be better addressed through another type of service.

Do you diagnose?

No - I don’t diagnose. Autism diagnoses require assessment by a multidisciplinary team, including professionals like paediatricians, speech & language therapists, clinical psychologists, or occupational/educational psychologists.

How can I get a diagnosis?

Start by talking to your GP or your child’s school SENCO. Diagnostic pathways may involve assessments by paediatricians, speech therapists, or educational psychologists. 

1. Introduction

Welcome to My Autism Mentor. By using our services, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully before proceeding.

2. Services Provided

My Autism Mentor offers practical strategies and advice to support children with additional needs. All recommendations are based on professional experience and should be implemented consistently over a minimum period of four weeks to assess their effectiveness.

3. No Refund Policy

All payments for consultancy services are final and non-refundable. Please ensure you understand and agree to this policy before booking any sessions.

4. Individual Results

Every child is unique, so the effectiveness of any strategies provided may vary. We cannot guarantee that an approach which works for one child will work for another. Consistency and patience are essential when applying our recommendations.

5. Non-Diagnostic Services

My Autism Mentor does not provide diagnostic services. We cannot diagnose any medical, psychological, or developmental conditions. For diagnosis-related concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

6. Sharing of Reports

Reports and recommendations provided by My Autism Mentor may be shared with your child’s school, with your consent. There is no legal obligation for the school to implement these strategies. While we encourage collaboration with educational settings, the decision to use our recommendations rests entirely with the school.

7. Confidentiality

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. Any data shared during consultations will remain confidential and will be used solely to provide tailored advice and strategies for your child.

8. Limitation of Liability

While we aim to provide the best possible advice and strategies, My Autism Mentor is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of our services. This includes any outcomes from implementing suggested strategies.

9. Amendments

We reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Updates will be posted on our website, and it is your responsibility to review them periodically.

By using our services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
For any questions or concerns, please contact us.

My Autism Mentor is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all children and young people who access our services. We recognise our duty to protect and promote the welfare of children and to take appropriate action if there are safeguarding concerns. This policy outlines our approach to safeguarding and online safety for all mentoring sessions.

1. Purpose of This Policy

• To protect children and young people who receive mentoring through My Autism Mentor.
  
  

• To ensure parents and carers understand our approach to safeguarding and online safety.
  
  

• To outline procedures for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns.
  
  

2. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We believe that:

• The welfare of the child is always paramount.
  
  

• All children have the right to feel safe and respected.
  
  

• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, have equal rights to protection from harm.
  
  

• We will act without delay if there is a safeguarding concern.
  
  

3. Safeguarding Responsibilities

• The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for My Autism Mentor is: [Your Name].
  
  

• The DSL is responsible for responding to concerns, making referrals, and keeping safeguarding records.
  
  

• All safeguarding concerns will be handled in line with statutory guidance (Working Together to Safeguard Children, UK).
  
  

4. Recognising and Responding to Concerns

Signs of abuse may include (but are not limited to):

• Unexplained injuries or changes in behaviour
  
  

• Disclosure from a child about harm or abuse
  
  

• Signs of neglect, such as poor hygiene or inadequate clothing
  
  

If there is an immediate risk of harm, we will contact emergency services (999 in the UK).
Where appropriate, concerns will be referred to the local authority’s Children’s Social Care or the NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000).

5. Confidentiality

• All safeguarding concerns will be treated with sensitivity.
  
  

• Information will only be shared with those who need to know, in line with GDPR and safeguarding law.
  
  

6. Online Safety Measures

All mentoring sessions are delivered via secure, password-protected platforms such as Google Meet or Zoom. To ensure safety:

• Meeting links are only shared with the parent/carer.
  
  

• A responsible adult must be present in the home during the session.
  
  

• Sessions will never be recorded by My Autism Mentor without written consent.
  
  

• Mentors will work from a professional, neutral background.
  
  

• No personal contact details (e.g., mentor’s home address or personal phone number) will be shared with the child.
  
  

7. Behaviour Expectations

• Mentors and children must use respectful language at all times.

• Cameras should remain on during sessions unless agreed otherwise for accessibility reasons.

• Inappropriate behaviour or language will result in the session being paused or stopped, with parents informed immediately.
  
  

8. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If a parent, carer, or young person has a safeguarding concern, they should immediately report it to:

• Children’s Social Care (contact your local authority for the correct number)
  
  

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (freephone, open 24/7)
  
  

My Autism Mentor does not provide emergency safeguarding intervention and is not a substitute for statutory safeguarding services.
While I will pass on any significant safeguarding concerns that I become aware of during sessions, I am not a psychologist and my mentoring is based on lived experience, professional training, and work in the field, rather than clinical practice.

9. Review of This Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation or best practice.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May 2018. It requires all businesses to provide a privacy statement to clients and contacts explaining what personal data is held, why it is needed, and how it is used.

What Information is Held

The information we hold comes from you, as the parent or carer, and relates to your child.
This may include:

• Age and school year group
  
  

• Details of regular sessions booked
  
  

• Parent/carer phone numbers
  
  

• Email addresses
  
  

• Home address (for correspondence)
  
  

• Any other relevant information you choose to share, such as special educational needs, medical conditions, or other details important to the support we provide
  
  

My Autism Mentor only collects the data necessary to deliver the services you have requested.
Contact details are used solely for:

• Scheduling sessions
  
  

• Sending invoices
  
  

• Communicating about the services we provide
  
  

Your information will never be shared with third parties unless there is a legal requirement to do so.

All reasonable steps are taken to ensure your data is stored and processed securely. Information is typically kept on a password-protected computer. Names, contact numbers, and email addresses are also stored in secure email contacts on this device.

Consent

By booking and paying for our services, you consent to My Autism Mentor holding the information outlined above on file.
For online sessions, it is assumed that you consent to the use of platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, or Skype for delivering services to your child.

Data Breaches

Under GDPR, all organisations have a duty to report certain types of data breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and, in some cases, to affected individuals.

If a breach occurs that is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals—such as discrimination, damage to reputation, financial loss, loss of confidentiality, or other significant disadvantage—My Autism Mentor will report the breach to the ICO and, where necessary, inform those affected.

My Autism Mentor is committed to creating a positive, respectful, and productive environment for all mentoring sessions. This Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for both the mentor and the family.

1. Respectful Communication

• All parties will communicate politely and respectfully.
  
  

• Discriminatory, offensive, or aggressive language will not be tolerated.
  
  

2. Punctuality

• Sessions will start and end at the agreed times.
  
  

• If you know you will be late, please inform the mentor as soon as possible.
  
  

• Sessions cannot always be extended if the client arrives late.
  
  

3. Prepared Environment

• The child should be ready for the session with any agreed materials available (e.g., paper, pens, resources).
  
  

• The session space should be quiet and free from unnecessary distractions.
  
  

4. Technology Checks

• Please check your internet connection and devices before the session starts.
  
  

• Any technical issues that prevent the session from taking place may still be chargeable if caused by the client’s equipment.
  
  

5. Boundaries

• The mentor’s role is to provide mentoring based on lived experience, training, and professional practice—not therapy, counselling, or diagnosis.
  
  

• Mentoring will focus on agreed goals and activities.
  
  

• Communication outside agreed channels (e.g., personal social media) is not permitted.
  
  

6. Ending a Session

• If behaviour during the session becomes unsafe, inappropriate, or abusive, the mentor may pause or end the session.
  
  

• The parent/carer will be informed immediately.

My Autism Mentor is committed to ensuring that all online mentoring sessions are delivered in a safe, secure, and respectful environment. This policy sets out the measures taken to protect children, families, and the mentor during virtual sessions.

1. Platforms Used

• Sessions are delivered via secure, password-protected platforms such as Google Meet or Zoom.
  
  

• Meeting links are unique to each session and shared only with the parent/carer.
  
  

2. Parental Presence

• A responsible adult must be present in the home during every session.
  
  

• The adult does not need to sit directly with the child but must be available if needed.
  
  

3. Recording Sessions

• My Autism Mentor will never record a session without written consent from the parent/carer.
  
  

• Parents/carers may not record sessions without prior written agreement.
  
  

4. Professional Standards

• The mentor will work from a professional, neutral background and ensure a quiet, private environment.
  
  

• The mentor will dress appropriately, as they would for an in-person session.
  
  

• No personal contact details (such as a home address or personal phone number) will be shared.
  
  

5. Child Safety & Privacy

• The child should be in a safe, appropriate environment during the session (e.g., not in bed or a bathroom).
  
  

• Cameras should remain switched on unless agreed otherwise for accessibility or sensory reasons.
  
  

• Session links must never be shared with anyone outside the family.

At My Autism Mentor, session times are reserved especially for you. We understand that plans can change, and we aim to be as flexible as possible, while also ensuring fairness to all clients.

1. Cancellations

• If you cancel a booked session, no refunds will be issued.
  
  

• Please consider rescheduling instead of cancelling so your child does not miss out on their session.
  
  

2. Rescheduling

• You may request to reschedule a session, but spaces are limited and alternative times cannot be guaranteed.
  
  

• The more notice you provide, the more likely it is that an alternative time can be arranged.
  
  

• Rescheduled sessions must take place within a reasonable timeframe and cannot be carried forward indefinitely.
  
  

3. Missed Sessions

• If you miss a session without prior notice, it will be treated as a cancellation and no refund or rescheduling will be offered.
  
  

4. Mentor Cancellations

• In the unlikely event that My Autism Mentor needs to cancel a session, you will be offered an alternative time as soon as possible.

Payment Terms

• All session fees must be paid in full before the mentoring  sessions takes place.
  
  

• Bookings are only secured once payment has been received.
  
  

Refunds and Rescheduling

• As a small, specialist service, refunds are not usually available. If you cannot attend a scheduled session, you are encouraged to reschedule so the time can still be used productively.
  
  

• Refund requests will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and at our discretion.
  
  

Exceptional Circumstances

• If you have booked a block of sessions and, during our work together, it becomes clear that your child’s needs are significantly beyond the scope of mentoring (for example, suicidal thoughts), mentoring will be paused or stopped immediately.
  
  

• Any unused sessions will be refunded in full, and you will be directed to appropriate specialist or crisis services for further support.
  
  

Our Priority
At My Autism Mentor, the wellbeing and safety of the child always come first. This policy helps us ensure that every child receives the right kind of support at the right time.

Purpose
This Social Media Policy sets out guidelines for the use of social media by clients, parents/carers, and the mentor in relation to the autism mentoring services provided by My Autism Mentor. The aim is to ensure respectful, safe, and professional interactions online.

1. Professional Boundaries

• All mentoring-related communication will primarily take place via agreed professional channels (e.g., email, GoogleMeet, Zoom).
  
  

• Social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp) are not official communication channels for mentoring sessions, scheduling, or sensitive discussions.
  
  

• Clients and parents/carers are asked not to send direct messages or friend/follow requests to the mentor’s personal social media accounts.
  
  

2. Respectful Communication

• All interactions on social media related to My Autism Mentor must be respectful and considerate.
  
  

• Harassment, bullying, discriminatory comments, or any form of harmful behavior will not be tolerated and may result in termination of services.
  
  

3. Privacy and Confidentiality

• Clients and parents/carers should avoid sharing personal or sensitive information about themselves, the mentor, or other clients on social media platforms.
  
  

• My Autism Mentor will maintain client confidentiality and will not discuss or share any client information on social media.
  
  

4. Content Sharing

• Permission will always be sought before sharing any client stories, feedback, or images on social media.
  
  

• When sharing general educational or awareness content, no identifying client information will be disclosed.
  
  

5. Online Safety

• My Autism Mentor commits to maintaining a safe and supportive online environment.
  
  

• If any inappropriate or unsafe behavior is observed or reported on social media, appropriate actions will be taken, including reporting to platform authorities or ending the mentoring relationship if necessary.
  
  

6. Feedback and Complaints

• Social media is not the appropriate forum for raising concerns or complaints about the mentoring service.
  
  

• Clients and parents/carers are encouraged to use official communication channels (e.g., email or scheduled calls) to discuss any issues.

Purpose
This Dress Code Policy sets out clear expectations for appropriate dress during all online mentoring sessions with My Autism Mentor. The goal is to ensure a comfortable, respectful, and distraction-free environment that supports effective learning and engagement.

1. Appropriate Attire

• Mentees should wear comfortable clothing suitable for participating in an online mentoring session.
  
  

• Clothing should be modest and appropriate for a learning environment (e.g., no lingerie, swimwear, or clothing with offensive images or language, not shirtless).
  
  
  

2. Comfort and Practicality

• Comfortable clothing that allows the mentee to sit and focus during the session is recommended.
  
  

3. Parent/Carer Responsibility

• Parents and carers are asked to support and encourage the mentee to follow this dress code during sessions.
  
  

• If a mentee attends a session dressed inappropriately, the mentor may gently remind the family of this policy and may, if needed, pause or reschedule the session until appropriate dress is arranged.
  
  

4. Respectful Environment

• Appropriate dress helps create a respectful and professional learning space for all participants.
  
  

Thank you for helping maintain a positive and effective environment for learning and growth at My Autism Mentor.

Purpose
At My Autism Mentor, we are committed to providing a high-quality, supportive, and respectful service. This Complaints Policy explains how clients, parents, or carers can raise concerns or complaints about our mentoring services and how we will respond.

1. What is a Complaint?

A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not, about any aspect of the mentoring service, including communication, scheduling, content, or behaviour.

2. How to Raise a Complaint

Raise your concern directly with the mentor (via email or scheduled call) as soon as possible. Many issues can be resolved quickly through open communication.

3. How Complaints Are Handled

• We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint.
  
  

• We will investigate the complaint fairly and thoroughly, which may involve reviewing records or discussing the issue with you.
  
  

• We aim to provide a full response or update within 14 working days. If more time is needed, we will inform you and explain why.
  
  

• We will take appropriate actions to resolve the issue and prevent it from happening again.
  
  

4. Confidentiality

All complaints will be handled confidentially and only shared with people directly involved in resolving the issue.

5. Further Steps

If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may request a review or mediation. Contact us to discuss the next steps.

6. No Retaliation

Raising a complaint will not affect the quality of service you receive, and there will be no negative consequences for making a complaint in good faith.

My Autism Mentor is committed to listening and improving based on your feedback. Your concerns are important.