Domiciliary Assessment and Support
Our Domiciliary Assessment & Support Service is the Society's response to the increasing understanding and recognition of the diverse needs people with autism have. The innovative range of services we provide either at home or in the community offers specialist and enabling support opportunities that promote health and wellbeing, social inclusion and the development of independent life skills in social, domestic, work or educational settings. All of the support we provide is person centred and directed at enabling individuals to achieve positive outcomes.
Social coaching & Community Support
Personal testimony:
“Without the support, I would be at home (situated in the middle of nowhere) in isolation instead of meeting people who talk to me to improve my oral communication, help me do things faster, assist with my job search and do leisure activities which would be impossible to do on my own. I am unable to make friends easily and since having the support, I have met fifteen new people, some of which could become life-long friends who I can discuss my difficulties with (oral communication, slowness and anything else) and in turn help me overcome them which will help me both now, and later in life. This support must continue so I can gain more confidence; improve my social life by doing things quicker, so I can do what I want to do and not just what I have to do; secure a job to earn money to live on; and improve the quality of my life, as it is boring at the moment and do not want to become depressed.” An individual we support, 2010
Employment & Education Support
We offer support to local Colleges through the provision of drop in support services to students not otherwise engaged in receiving support so that they can access specialist advice and guidance to support their studies.
We also work alongside local employment & disability partners to deliver support to people who are either facing difficulties in their employment, or are starting in a new post and need support to settle in and understand work routines.
University Support – “Without this support many students would not accomplish their degrees” quote from CQC questionnaire survey February 2010
At Portsmouth University we work in partnership with ASDAC (Additional Support & Disability Advice Centre) to ensure that students with Aspergers are motivated and enabled to complete their academic studies through the provision of Academic Mentoring. The service is unique and has operated for several years with year on year growth in the number of students being supported by the team.
“AB is a young man who lacked confidence and received support from the team with his studies. In his placement year he found the confidence to seek out his own placement at a local hotel and has subsequently been offered a permanent job on completion of his degree."
We also provide a similar Service at Winchester University.
Supported Living
Supported Living is a lifestyle choice that people make and no matter what their needs are, or the type of accommodation they wish to live in, we deliver flexible and person centred support to ensure they achieve positive outcomes and live full & rewarding lives.
One resident told us:
“I do not need anything else; independence is the best thing about life”
In a recent independent audit of one of the services it was demonstrated that people we support in supported living settings undertake a range of activities of their own choosing, are supported to take positive risks, are healthy and feel safe in their home, and are encouraged and supported to develop their independent living skills, and sustain positive relationships with their landlord.
Extract from an independent audit 2010;
“I observed staff supporting X at his circle of support meeting and I was impressed as the support given was very natural and discreet. The staff recognised his stress and responded in a very reassuring manner. I observed support being provided that was just right, very unobtrusive, reassuring and calm.”
