Type of service: Interventions and therapies, Play and leisure, Respite and short breaks

Service URL: http://www.bristol.gov.uk

Bristol Autism Project provides supported holiday activities for children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), aged 5-18 years and their siblings of any age. Access to the service is by self-referral as they are an early intervention, preventative service. Some referrals are via social workers or the Health Service. The project runs two groups: under 11's for children with autism aged 5-11 years and their siblings; over 11's for children with autism aged 11-18 years and siblings. All activities arranged are publicised to project members and booked by personal request. A range of activities are offered, some with exclusive access, but mainly with supported access to community-based leisure activities. All sessions are supervised and supported by casual staff but parents are ultimately responsible for their own children. Activities are free of charge. The project's ethos is to provide a holistic family service which encourages parents to interact positively with their Autistic children and include siblings. Their aim is to support and enable the autistic child and their family to access activities similar to the rest of the community, to reduce stress in the family, raising confidence, self-esteem and avoiding family breakdown. Parents/carers are required to accompany their children at all times. Activity sessions provide a supported, informal but structured learning environment for the whole family.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Child/adolescent sibling, Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of a young person, Young person

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific, Staff and volunteers get autism awareness training

Registrations and professional qualifications: Studio 3 Low Arousal and De-escalation training. National Autistic Society (NAS) Induction training. ASD Awareness training. ASD Teaching and Learning. ASD Sex and Sexuality training. National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 Social Care, Mental Health (Autism Specific via NAS). 5 years NAS residential experience with adults. Parent of adult with Asperger syndrome. ASD trainer for Bristol residential units, in-house Introduction to Autism and Advanced Autism course ('Autism Acknowledged') Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) National Award and listed as consultant for provision to children and young people with ASD and their families.