FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
Family Support Service
We have two full time Family Support Officers working throughout Medway and Kent. They can offer the following support:
- Telephone support and advice
- Face to face discussion of problems and possible ways to solve them
- Help the person, their family/carer to work in partnership with Health, Education and Social Services by attending meetings, explaining professional reports and helping to compile written responses
- Support people in getting Community Care Assessments for adults, finding and accessing the right support
- Helping people and their families/carers to apply for benefits, grants and entitlements
- Getting people together in self-help groups
- Initiating skill training courses
- Promoting awareness of Autism Spectrum Condition through seminars and training
We can now provide people with an "Autism Alert Card"
This new card has been designed to alert the police and other emergency services to the fact the holder has an Autism Spectrum Condition.
The card alerts the emergency services that the holder may have difficulty communicating and may appear anxious in unfamiliar surroundings or exhibit behaviour which, to the unaware, may seem strange and could be misinterpreted.
The card is likely to be of most benefit to those who access the community independently but could be helpful for those who usually have the support of a carer or parent particularly if they were lost. It is available to all ages
To receive an application form please phone Des Walker on 01634 405168 or email him on dwalker@kentautistic.com with your name and address or please click on this link to print the form Application form and send it to Des at The Kent Autistic Trust, 14 High Street, Brompton, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5AE
Support Groups 2010
The groups offer parents and carers the opportunity to meet other parents and carers, and to share their experiences. Please click on the Support Groups title to the top left hand side of this page for dates for the remaining support groups for 2010. Please contact Des or Jo if you have any queries about these groups.