oxfordshire autism alert card email: [email protected] tel: 0844 381...

Oxfordshire Autism Alert Card

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0844 381 4484

Oxfordshire Autism Alert Card Scheme

2011-2012

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mailto:[email protected]



Project Aims •Free card for people with ASC of all ages in Oxfordshire •Help autistic people in difficult situations find sources of local support•Help Thames Valley Police, local emergency services and Oxfordshire organisations to identify they are dealing with someone who has autism•Promote better management of issues and situations involving people with an ASC

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Project Aims •Help Cardholders feel safer and more confident when out and about•Provide Autism Awareness Training to Police Officers, PCSOs and Probation Officers in Oxfordshire•Enable Thames Valley Police to ensure all people with autism receive an excellent, fair and appropriate service from the police•Raise public awareness of autism in Oxfordshire

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Alert Cards Issued• 224 by 31st March 2012• Youngest: 3 yrs; Oldest: 84 yrs• 0 – 15 yrs – 120 cards• 16 – 20 yrs – 55 cards• 21 and over – 48 cards

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Launches‒ 4 launches‒ TVP Officer training preceded launches‒ 1-hour launches plus Awareness event

Publicity‒ Television, Radio, newspapers, parish news

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Training – Summary & Feedback‒ Police Officers – 375 attended 20 sessions‒ Probation Officers – 25 attended 3 sessions

“The best insight into an issue that I have been given in 22 years as a Police Officer. In my experience all that officers need is educating regarding difficult subjects; this delivered on all levels”.

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Training – Summary & Feedback cont:-‒ Other organisations – 116 attended 6 sessions

Elmore Team, County Youth Panel, Youth Offender Service, Counsellors, Specialist Registrars

More sessions to be booked for Talking Space & PCSOs

“Really enjoyed the speakers, they gave me a really good understanding of problems they face which will help me to do my job better”.

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Evaluation - TVP Officers & PCSOs‒ Nearly 80% of officers – training useful in their

work‒ Information on the alert card scheme is in 92% of

police stations

“Was also relevant during interview as was able to advise a prisoner whilst in custody that he should have a card which would then highlight to officers his condition which would hopefully ensure officers deal with him more appropriately”

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Evaluation – Alert Card Holders‒ 66% of the respondents were under 20 years old‒ 25% had shown their alert card‒ Over 70% felt carrying or showing their card had

helped them

“I recently used it when my son had a dental appointment and was amazed at the impact it had. The dentist was so much more approachable and tolerant of my son”.

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Evaluation – Alert Card Holders

“Three out of five police officers who have attended our home in times of severe stress/anger/violence caused by my son’s Asperger’s ‘meltdowns’ over the past few months have been so understanding of our situation. Firm but fair, the training on AS for local police by Autism Oxford means that they have knowledge of how to speak to my son in a way that won’t exacerbate the ‘meltdown’”.

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Work Stream for 2012/13

‒ Strengthening links‒ Further training ‒ Working with CJS Divert/Liaison Scheme‒ Continuing publicity, incl Parish magazines‒ Explore extension to Ambulance & Fire Services

– add to ‘message in a bottle’?

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Needs Identified - Sustained, Specialist Support Service:•Families, especially when more than 1 with ASC, & when involved with Police or CJS•Police Officers – PCSOs, responders, Custody Staff, specialist interviewers•Probation Officers, CJS staff & support services•OCC, Oxford Health & other organisations

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Thank you!

Next:

Paul Isaacs, Autism Trainer & Author

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Next:

Paul IsaacsAutism Trainer & Author

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Oxfordshire Autism Alert Card Scheme

‒ How will it help or benefit me?‒ What situations will I use the card in?

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How the Card could have been used …..

My father has Asperger’s syndrome, and he had a misunderstanding with Police ……………..

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How the Card could have been used …..

My father has Asperger’s syndrome, and he had a misunderstanding with Police ……………..

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Thanks for Listening

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T 01844 353 292 W www.autismoxford.org.uk

awareness • training • consultancy

• Average 2 sessions per week• 6 regular trainers plus 4 occasional• Lessons to learn from within• Coaching & Support• Learning to adapt (NT to ASC & vice

versa)

AO Training Team



•Effective Training, paying dividends•Cost effective – team & County•Access to real autism expertise•Support: Employment & Social•Improved MH & Wellbeing •Pioneering good practice

Benefits for Oxfordshire



Support we would need if we didn’t work for Autism Oxford:•Financial•Emotional (Mental Health ASD specific)•Counselling•Work/Employment Support•Travel Support (trains, long distance travel etc)•Support Key Worker •Family Support (for Adults)

What the Team say….



“quite honestly it has changed my life, I feel I now have a purpose in life and so many people say that I am helping to make a difference”

“I used to spend most days alone in my bedroom in my own world and feeling very low, now I am helping others and it feels like a dream has come true. I now feel like a somebody instead of a nobody”




“I have had jobs in the past and none of them worked out - I was bullied, abused and was never accepted for being me. Autism Oxford accepts me just the way I am - it is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”

“...... helped pull me up from a very deep dark depression and gave me hope and light”




“If I did not work for Autism Oxford I would be depressed and using mental health services”

“It has given me confidence, good mental health and a purpose in life to help others on the spectrum”

“Person Centred support has been the key for all of us on the team”




“a tremendous boost to my self-esteem and gives me a voice. It is enormously empowering to have the experience of being someone who is worth listening to”

“It’s the first job where I haven't been bullied, teased and manipulated by fellow peers”




“The model that Autism Oxford works to is as far away from the "token Aspie" way of working as it is possible to get”

“the work we do as a team is comprehensive and covers more of autism than one autistic person could cover”

“Autism Oxford does have the expertise to consult help and develop autism services for adults”


oxfordshire autism alert card email: [email protected] tel: 0844 381...

Documents

autism oxford

alert cards

evaluation alert card

free card

oxfordshire organisations

autism awareness training

public awareness of

cjs police officers