RAGS Havering, 2008

RAGS group members Anne Myatt & Lesley Staines

Romford Autistic Group Support

This is one of the smaller autism support groups participating in the Parent Support Project however despite this it has made a big impact! The group has been established since 2003 with approximately 10 parent members. Over the past three years parents and carers from Havering have established excellent working relationships with the local authority and now have a parent representative on the Havering Autism Working Group. This is a multi agency strategic planning group which is developing the five year autism plan for Havering. The main concerns in Havering are focussed on support for siblings and transition to adult services. They are also working on an autism information project to share accurate details of the needs of children with autism with the local authority.

RAGS Charity Fundraiser Dinner and Dance

The Havering based parent and carer support group RAGS will be hosting a fundraising dinner and dance on Saturday 15 November 08. The evening will be held at Top Meadow Golf Club from 7pm until midnight, and will include a three course meal, and after dinner entertainment by ‘smooth as silk’. Tickets are priced at £40 a head, and tables for up to 12 can be reserved until 1 October 08. For full information on the fundraising evening, or to book a table at the event please download the RAGS booking form.

Children and Young People Now article featuring RAGS!

The latest issue of Children and Young People Now includes an article on the Constructive Campaigning Parent Support Project, featuring both RAGS and CAPAAS. The TreeHouse Constructive Campaigning Parent Support Project is highlighted as a successful model for parent participation, which contributes to the level of parents' confidence in the Special Educational Needs system. The article includes examples of successful constructive campaigns in both Havering and Lincolnshire, and interviews with the group leaders Anne Myatt and Steve McGuinness. Please read the full CYPN article for more information.

Parents and Carers Ensure their views count

RAGS hosted a consultation event to inform a review of services for children with disabilities on Monday 9^th June 08. The review, commissioned by Havering Children's Trust, is being carried out by a team of consultants over a twelve day period.The event was well attended by a mix of professionals and parents, including Trevor Sim the Principal Educational Psychologist for Havering, and Rosemary Kew the Parents in Partnership Officer for the borough.

The event provided attendees with the opportunity to report on their experiences of the provision available for children, and families, and offer ideas and solutions to improve services locally. Parents and carers were consulted using a questionnaire to measure the success of services, and asked where 'gaps in provision' may exist. The consultants will report their findings and recommendations to Havering Children’s Trust Executive on 18^th June 08. For further information please read the consultation event notes or contact RAGS.

Havering Autism Focus Group

We are delighted that Anne Myatt has been elected Chair of the Havering Autism Focus Group. This is a multi-disciplinary group with representatives from schools, parents, children’s services, PCT, PMHT and voluntary groups and organisations such as PACT and TreeHouse. Havering RAGS Logo The mission statement of the group is:

To develop a cohesive and collaborative approach to achieve best practice for children and young people with ASD and their families”. A current focus of the group is developing a five year autism plan for Havering. For more information please email Havering Autism Focus Group.

The next Havering Autism Focus Group meeting will be held on 17th July 2008, from 9.30am - Ravensbourne School, Neave Cresent, Farringdon Avenue, Harold Hill, Romford.

RAGS Golf Day, Dinner and Disco

Romford Autistic Group Support (RAGS) held a golf day, three course dinner and disco on Friday 13^th June 2008. The event took place at Top Meadow Golf Club, and catered for over 100 guests. The golf tournament which comprised of 27 holes was a great success, with all players thoroughly enjoying their day on the course. The evening meal was attended by a good mixture of parents and professionals, with the entertainment, including a raffle being enjoyed by all. For information on future events, and Romford Autistic Group Support meetings please contact RAGS.

Telephone Interviews

As part of their campaign RAGS is collecting evidence of families’ experiences as this is a powerful way of highlighting local issues of concern, to be shared with decision makers. The parents support project team will be conducting telephone interviews with parents of children with autism to collect parents’ views. If you are a parent of a child with autism in Havering and would like to support RAGS in their constructive campaign by participating in a short telephone interview please email the parent support team at TreeHouse to arrange a date and time that is convenient for you.

Angela Watkinson MP visits TreeHouse

On Thursday 6 March Angela Watkinson MP, visited TreeHouse with two parents from RAGS. Following a guided tour of the school there were constructive discussions on pressing local issues regarding autism provision nationally and also in Havering. Angela Watkinson is a longstanding patron of RAGS and is committed to supporting them in their constructive campaign.

RAGS Constructive Campaign Launch

On Tuesday 29 January 2008 RAGS held their constructive campaign launch at First Step in Hornchurch. The aims of the event were:

To provide a comprehensive overview of educational provision available for children and young people with autism in Havering
To raise awareness of issues affecting children with autism and their families in Havering
To collect the views of parents and professionals in Havering to determine whether provision is meeting local need

The event included presentations, workshops with feedback from Andrew Ireland, Director of Children’s Services. There were 87 participants at the event, with parents and professionals in equal attendance. Please download the full report