FOCAS Redcar and Cleveland, 2008

Parents and carers involved in the FOCAS group in Redcar and Cleveland

Families of Children on the Autistic Spectrum

This group has 20 members and at the time of joining the project they were new to campaigning. Parents are working together with great enthusiasm and have formed a campaigning steering group to focus their priorities. The main area of interest for this group is around transition from primary to secondary school. They would also like more emphasis to be placed on life skills in the curriculum, and ensure that there is better communication between home and school to reinforce learning. FOCAS' campaign objectives include developing a relationship with local MP to raise awareness of autism education in Redcar & Cleveland, and a commitment to safety at lunchtime and outside the classroom

FOCAS family survey - April 2008

As part of their constructive campaign FOCAS have produced a survey for all families of children with autism in Redcar & Cleveland. The questions in the survey are based on the Autism Good Practice Guidance (DfES, 2002) and explore the support available in school for all children on the autistic spectrum during unstructured time. The findings will be used as part of a constructive campaign to transform autism education by working in partnership with schools, professionals and the local authority. If you are a parent or carer in Redcar & Cleveland and you would like to share your experiences please complete this survey and email to the Parent Support Project Team, or post back to TreeHouse, Woodside Avenue, London N10 3JA.

FOCAS family survey

Vera Baird MP patron of FOCAS

Vera Baird QC MP and Linda Dickinson (FOCAS group leader) holding the TreeHouse Parent Support Project 2008 calendar FOCAS constructive campaigning group recently approach Vera Baird MP, Member of Parliament for Redcar constituency, requesting that she be patron of their group. To their delight Vera Baird MP accepted.

Linda Dickinson, the lead member of FOCAS group said:

"I am delighted that Vera Baird has agreed to be FOCAS' patron. We look forward to working together to raise awareness of the needs of children with autism and their families in Redcar & Cleveland."

Vera Baird attended the FOCAS campaign launch on 25th January 08, at Upsall Hall, Middlesbrough.