The Communication Aid Service East of England is an organisation funded by NHS England and based at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. We provide a service across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex, offering assessment, provision, support, and advice for people with complex communication needs who may need alternative and augmentative communication systems; their families, and the professionals who work with them.

All of the training CASEE offers is free to attend, and we offer a mix of online and in-person events. Online events are held on Zoom, and in-person events take place onsite at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus. See our ‘collections’ for more information.

Depending on the event, our training can be suitable for SLTs, OTs, teachers, and various support staff. We have mapped each training event to a corresponding IPAACKS Level, which outlines the level of learning and development expected from the session. Please ensure you carefully read the details for each event to check your suitability to attend, prior to booking your tickets.

IPAACKS Levels:

Level One --- Awareness raising for those working with AAC users – sign posting to further information and services.

Level Two --- Knowledge and skills building in particular areas for those working with AAC users; reflective practice skills needed and ongoing involvement with AAC and AAC users vital.

Level Three --- Enhanced awareness and understanding of the area of AAC, building on skills mastered at level 2. For those who are able to work autonomously in the field but recognise and seek the need for support and information in this area, most suitable for AHPs, teachers, technicians.

Level Four --- Towards expert understanding in this area of AAC practice; Individuals may be supporting and enhancing their advanced practice and that of their team and wider organisation. Discussion and expertise sharing.

CASEE also offers bespoke group training to services, for groups of 10 or more people. These can be offered online, or in-person when a location can be provided by the requesting service. Please contact us on enquiries.casee@nhs.net with your request.

All our standard training courses can also be run on request to services, as with the bespoke group training. Please note that ‘Eyes for Communication’, ‘To Switch or Not to Switch’ and ‘AAC for Adults with Acquired Conditions’ are now run on request only. We will no longer be offering these courses as part of our standard programme.

If you have any questions about any of the training events on offer, you can contact the CASEE team on 01223 349401 or email enquiries.casee@nhs.net.