Application process

Important information about the application process

Please ensure you have downloaded an information pack and checked you meet the criteria for the autism assistance program. Then register your interest in the program using the button above.

Three essential criteria that you must meet are:

Your child is aged between three years old and eight years old
Your child has a confirmed diagnosis of autism
You must live no further than 2 hours away from our training centre in Sheffield, S9 2RX

There are 5 key steps to the application process:

1. Download an information pack to check you meet our criteria

2. Apply using the button above

3. We will check you meet the criteria. If so you will be invited to an information day:

an email will be sent to everyone who has met the criteria to ask if you still wish to be considered
You must reply by the specified date to be put into the ballot
Ballot process: Those who do reply to the email will then be entered into a ballot where the required number of candidates to be invited to the information day will be selected. Chosen candidates will be contacted to confirm that all required criteria are met and details for accessing the information day will be provided. Candidates who are unsuccessful will be notified via email.

4. Attend one of our information days:

held via Zoom. (If you are unable to access zoom then please let us know so that we can discuss alternative options)
opportunity for you to find out more about Support Dogs, how the programme can support you, and tell us more about your circumstances
held three to four times per year and have a very limited number of spaces

5. Complete the full application form that will be given to to you after the information day. Please note it is essential that you attend our information day as you will be given information about the next stages of the application and assessment process and those that are eligible and suitable for the programme will be moved onto the next stage of the process.