Frequently Asked Questions

You are oversubscribed and I need support now. Can you help?

We are keen to ensure those on the waiting list can get support when they need it. We are working on (Feb 24) an Engagement Event in the near future which will allow you to access a Session to give you more information about Appeer and some support or signposting while you wait for us to open registrations again.  In the meantime please take a look at our Resources page which contains help you can access now.

I am new to APPEER. Where do I start?  We encourage you to take some time to look through our website to read about the services we can offer.  Our Peer Groups tab gives an overview of the Groups we currently run.  We normally ask you to complete our online application form before you can book a Session with us, however, we are currently oversubscribed and unable to accept any more applications for our Online Sessions, Monthly Girls or Monthly Teen Groups as we are at capacity.  We will look to re-open registrations after Easter 2024.  Please click here if you would like to be notified when registrations re-open. 

For any Alternative Provision registrations, please email cathryn@appeer.org.uk

For any Women's Group registrations, please email claire@appeer.org.uk

How long will it take for you to review my application?

Once we have received your sign up form, we carefully assess how and if we are able to support you effectively. This process can take some time as we want to get it right – this is why we ask so many questions on the form! We often have lots of applications to consider, so please don’t worry if we don’t get back to you immediately. You should hear from us within 2 weeks. We value your application. Do email claire@appeer.org.uk if you have any queries or haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks.

My daughter is 18 years old. Can she still access your Teen Sessions? She can provided she is still in Year 13 and not due to turn 19 until after the end of this academic year. After than she may wish to consider joining our Young Women's Group.

My daughter is under 7. Can she access your Sessions? Unfortunately no.  We can support autistic girls from age 7 upwards.  Please take a look at our Resources page, however, for support you can access now and signposts to other organisations who may be able to help.  Follow our Facebook page too as we often post on behalf of other organisations.

My daughter does not yet have a diagnosis. Can I still access your Sessions? Yes, we invite applications from girls who are waiting for a diagnosis or have a suspected diagnosis. Please see our full Admissions Policy for further information.

How do the waiting lists work for the Monthly Groups? We have a waiting list system for all our age groups if we are oversubscribed. We do have movement throughout the year; places become available as and when girls move up to the next age bracket.  If you are on the waiting list you will be contacted once a place becomes available.

I am on universal credit. Do you offer any reduced rates? Yes, we offer concessionary tickets for families who may be struggling financially and are on Universal Credit or in receipt of Pupil Premium. When you fill our the application form there will be a tick box to confirm you are in receipt of these benefits - you will then have access to book our concessionary tickets at the time of booking.

I am interested in Volunteering for Appeer. Where can I sign up? We welcome applications from Volunteers. Please see our Jobs Page.

Can I stay with my daughter during the activities at the Sessions? During our Monthly Groups you will have access to the Parent/Carer room and support from our Parent/Carer Facilitator and other parents while your daughter attends the Group.  We understand that Parents/Carers may want to stay with their daughter during the first few Sessions to help settle them in. After that we encourage independence. If your daughter is attending the Girls Group (7-12 years) we ask that Parents/Carers stay on site. If your daughter is aged 13-18 years, parents are not required to stay on site after their first Session but we ask them to stay local so they can be contactable. 

Do you provide 1:1 support in your Sessions? No, we do not have the capacity to offer 1:1 support in any of our Sessions.

If I need to cancel my booking, will I get a refund? If you cancel your place on a Session up to 7 days prior to the date of Session, you will receive a full refund (minus any booking fees). No other refund will be given.

Can my daughter request to be with a friend during the Monthly Groups? We ask girls at the time of booking to let us know if they would like to be grouped with anyone. We do our best to facilitate this where possible but cannot guarantee it.

How are my data stored and protected? Please see our Data Privacy Policy.

Can I bring a sibling to the Monthly Groups? We are unable to accommodate siblings for reasons of insurance and capacity. In occasional exceptional situations we may be able to help in some way; in such cases please email claire@appeer.org.uk at the time of booking. Siblings are not able to stay in the Parent/Carer spaces.

Can I bring my dog to the Monthly Groups? Please do not bring your dog to the Monthly Groups as they will not be allowed anywhere on the school premises, even in the outside spaces.

Where can I find an application form to register? We have a temporary hold on applications because we are at capacity.  If you would like to be informed when we are open to applications again please click here.

My daughter does not attend school. Do you offer any Sessions during school hours?   Yes, see our Weekday Group tab for full details.

My daughter is questioning her gender/identifies as male or non-binary. Can she still access your Sessions?  We welcome applications from those who meet our admissions criteria, which include those who identify as girls and women and/or those assigned female at birth who many be gender questioning and/or those who identify as non-binary (see our Admissions Policy).