Grant funding to Voluntary and Community Sector (VSC) organisations

Gloucestershire Integrated Care System are looking to utilise funding from NHS England to put in place community support across the whole of Gloucestershire for autistic children and young people or those with autistic traits and their families.

What we're looking for:

• Autism friendly and accessible
• Inclusive, family approach (where possible)
• Evidence of experience, working with children and young people with autism and their families
• Training in understanding autism and how to work with autistic children and young people (this can be provided)
• Safety of the venue i.e. lockable gates, fencing etc.

A survey has been published to gather the views of Parent Carers in Gloucestershire about what they would like support to look like for their children and themselves (see appendix 1). Feedback received is outlined below

Support for autistic young people and young people with autistic traits:

• Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions for their children would be preferable, but some options after school would be helpful
• Not all sessions should be sports based ie. chess, gaming, singing, arts and crafts and outdoor play
• Mentoring sessions for young people from autistic adults to help them think about their future in Education, Employment and Training
• Consideration of siblings in different age brackets being able to access activities at the same venue
• Ability to offer 1:1 support or additional support to ensure inclusivity in the activity
• Flexibility in sessions – not forcing the child or young person to join in, allowing the parent to stay and support their child if they would like to
• Emotional support for siblings of children and young people who are autistic or have autistic traits

Support for parent carers:

• Some social activities to be held outside of the working day (9am-5pm), so working parents are able to attend
• Coffee mornings with parents, which also facilitate activities for the children, so they are able to interact too
• Social activities whereby Professionals come along and facilitate a talk about a certain topic i.e. managing challenging behaviours
• Support sessions for autistic parents

What is being proposed The range of support will need be delivered by several organisations, big and small, across all districts of Gloucestershire:

• Gloucester
• Cheltenham
• Stroud
• Forest of Dean
• Cotswolds
• Tewkesbury It is important that community support is inclusive and so children and young people should not require a diagnosis of autism to be able to access these groups. The groups should be targeted at those with autistic traits, this may include having difficulty coping with large groups of people and have sensory issues which require a calm, quiet environment with minimal demands (low level lighting and noise).

Organisations should consider where possible a whole family approach where there are alternative activities for siblings at the same time and parents have a chance to meet socially. Whilst this is an approach we would like to facilitate, if you are not able to offer this, please still consider applying, as we would like to provide a range of opportunities to children, young people and their families.

We know that there are a number of smaller organisations in Gloucestershire who may not need much funding, but some additional funding can make a big difference to what you can do, and we are keen to support you.