CAPAAS Lincolnshire, 2008

Children and Parents Asperger Autistic Support

This is the newest group in the project, established in May 2006 by a small group of parents and carers of children with autism. It is growing rapidly and now has a network of over 400 families and partner agencies who are keen to work with this active and committed support group. The group has undertaken a transition project, working with four local primary schools to highlight good practice in the schools and create a cluster of excellence. The strategies and techniques which work with individual children with autism will be shared as they progress from primary to secondary school. The lead parent has also worked with the project team to develop the new Parent Support Project web forum. This group is interested in looking at exclusions and raising awareness of autism in schools.

Capaas Logo CAPAAS (Children and Parents Asperger Autistic Support) is a parent run support group open to all. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am-12pm, and the fourth Wednesday evening of every month 6.30-8.30pm (school term times only) at the in the Conference Room, the Sleaford Foyer, Eastgate, Sleaford. If you would like further information please contact CAPAAS

Lincolnshire Echo reports on task group reccomendations for Special Educational Needs

A Proposal which recommends more special school places for the Lincolnshire County’s children and young people has been met with opposition by councilors. A list of proposals for special educational needs was presented to Lincolnshire County Council's executive after 12 months of work by a scrutiny panel for children's services. The two key recommendations were to provide more dedicated special school places and boarding options across the county.
Steve McGuinness is the chairman of Children and Parents' Asperger Autistic Support for Lincolnshire. His ten-year-old son has high functioning Asperger's Syndrome. He commented

"Personally I think young people who are high functioning should get a place in a special school,"

Children and Young People Now article featuring CAPAAS!

The latest issue of Children and Young People Now includes an article on the Constructive Campaigning Parent Support Project, featuring both CAPAAS and RAGS. 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 Lincolnshire and Havering, and interviews with the group leaders Steve McGuinness and Anne Myatt. Please read the full CYPN article for more information.

Children and Young People Now - A Draft Report on Special Educational Needs Services in Lincolnshire

An interim report for special educational needs (SEN) services has been produced for Lincolnshire. The report covers the SEN provision available within the county, and evaluates whether this provision is meeting service user needs. Councilors are due to meet in order to discuss the report's findings. Please read the full article for further detail.

Lincolnshire Echo on County school funding

Following a review of Special Educational Needs services in Lincolnshire, the Lincolnshire Echo have a piece on how much funding is available to school pupils within Lincolnshire county, and how this compares to the national average. Please read the full article for more detail.

Hadrian’s Wall Challenge in Aid of CAPAAS!

C.A.P.A.A.S wish to thank Jo and Duncan Wright, for walking the Length of Hadrian’s Wall to raise money for their cause. Their trek started Sunday 25^th May 08, and completed Friday 30^th May 08. The wall, situated in Cumbria Northern England, is 84 miles in length and 1130 foot at its highest point. The pair walked the wall's length to raise awareness of Autistic Spectrum disorders. If you would like to be involved with raising autism awareness in Lincolnshire please contact CAPAAS.

Lincolnshire Local Authority undertake consultations on SEN services

Lincolnshire Local Authority held consultations to take into account views of parents and carers during a review of special educational needs services in Lincolnshire. The consultation events held on 23rd and 24th April 08, were well attended by a mix of parents and professionals, including local Lincolnshire SEN consultation, chaired by Therese Lord (Chair of Lincolnshire Parent Carer Council) with Peter Broster (Head of Additional Needs) and Terry Earland (Interim Executive) in attendance authority members and councillors.

Parent participation is increasingly recognised as a route to providing responsive services better matched to the needs of service users. It is widely acknowledged that parents and carers are experts in their child’s individual disability. The parents and carers attending these consultations were passionate, well informed, and articulate in sharing their views and experiences.

The theme of the event was reducing reliance on the Statementing process, as a mechanism for ensuring that children with hidden disabilities such as autism get the support they need and are entitled to.

Peter Broster Head of Additional Needs said “Lincolnshire county council are determined to ensure children with autism get the best start in education, by providing them the support they need to enjoy and achieve within school. The consultation program will hopefully inform the council on improving services for children with disabilities living in Lincolnshire”

Lincolnshire local authority are considering reducing reliance on the Statementing process, for children in bands 1, 2 and 3 (equates to 7 hours of support per week), as part of the county wide Lincolnshire SEN review.

Steve McGuinness CAPAAS group leader said “It was clear from the consultations parents are frustrated at existing provision, therefore suspicious of any proposed changes. CAPAAS members are encouraged that the consultations have taken place, and are keen to work closely with the Local Authority to achieve transparency and accountability”

Lincolnshire Local Authority Review Special Education Needs Provision

Lincolnshire parents and carers are thrilled their local authority is carrying out a major review of the education provision for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), which will include children with autism.

For the past year CAPAAS members have been working closely with the TreeHouse Parent Support Project (PSP), to campaign for better autism provisions and resources within the Lincolnshire local authority. This review represents a step forward in highlighting improvement needed in the areas of autism education.

Steve McGuinness, group leader for CAPAAS, understands how difficult life can be for children and young people on the autistic spectrum. He said: “We at CAPAAS are very pleased Lincolnshire is holding a review of education provision for children with autism and other disabilities. Many children and young people with Asperger Syndrome or autism have difficulties with communication and forming relationships. This can have a huge impact on their education in terms of academic progress and developing friendships with other children at school.”

David Bennett, Chairman of the review group, was quoted as saying: “One parent said it had been generally a very difficult ride having two autistic children but she said that by far the most difficult times have involved their education.”

This has certainly been the experience of Mary McGlaughlin, one of the committee members of CAPAAS. Mary said: “My son has Asperger’s Syndrome which is a form of autism. He used to attend a mainstream school with the help of a learning support assistant; however it wasn’t right for him. The local Parent Partnership service was very helpful and arranged with me for my son to move to a local special school. He is much happier now.”

CAPAAS and the TreeHouse PSP will eagerly await the findings of the review, and hope it will lead an improved autism specific approach to education within the area.