AS~U~R Poole, 2008

AS~U~R is an active group of parents and carers of children with autism established in 2004. AS~U~R has approximately 120 members. Parents from this group are passionate about increasing the choice of education provision for children with autism in Poole and to find ways to work with partners to contribute to raising levels of awareness of autism in schools. Parents and carers from Poole have been working constructively with the Director of Children’s Services and the local Councillor Tony Woodcock. They have been invited to participate in developing the pan Dorset five year autism strategy, which includes plans for new resource centres in a number of local schools.

AS~U~R meet the first Strategy Manager for Children with Complex Needs

Lisa Lawley (As~U~R group leader), with Helen Owen (As~U~R parent) and another member of As~U~R Poole based group AS~U~R are delighted at the news that their borough has appointed David Gillespie as the Strategy Manager for Children with Complex Needs. Mr Gillespie is responsible for working with a variety of partner organistaions, to improve services for children with a disability or complex health needs, and their families. Lisa Lawley, lead parent of AS~U~R, as well as other representatives from the group met with Mr Gillespie to discuss a range of issues including, access to short breaks, parental consultation and communication, the role of localities and extended schools in supporting children and their families.

AS~U~R were happy to learn that the Borough of Poole had signed up to the Every Disabled Child Matters charter. The charter will be published on the Local Authority website soon, along with the progress the borough is making on meeting the charter outcomes.

Mr Gillespie agreed that working in collaboration with AS~U~R could help to inform the provision of services within the borough of Poole.

AS~U~R deliver autism awareness training

Providing training to those working with children with autism is one of AS~U~R’s campaigning priorities. The group is pleased to announce that AS~U~R parent Helen Owen has been asked to deliver training on autism awareness to session workers, coaches and foster carers Helen Owen addressing an audience at the AS~U~R campaign launch . The group hopes that teaching assistants and other key staff will also be included in the training in the near future.

The autism awareness training sessions Helen has delivered in the past have received positive feedback from those who attended. AS~U~R are certain the training sessions will have an impact on how professionals working with children and young people, interact and communicate with those with autism.