SSD 23 11 Autism - Information and Advice Service

The Derbyshire Autism Information and Advice Service will be available to residents of Derbyshire County and Derby City for the first 2 years, and it will provide two main functions, Autism information, advice, and signposting

Autism awareness raising and the development of a ‘Derbyshire Autism Engagement Network’

Autism Information, Advice, and signposting elements of the service will include,

Different contact methods, including, a free telephone helpline, an ‘out of office’ voicemail, an email enquiry service, and a social media presence on various websites with methods of contact.

Information resources relevant to autistic people (aged 16+) and their families, support networks, and carers

Maintaining a database of local provision across Derbyshire within the statutory and voluntary sector

A website providing a range of information, advice, and downloads in various forms of media (such as written and videos), covering topics such as,

Employment and training related issues

Rights and reasonable adjustments

Access to Adult Social Care support, including accessing a carers assessment

The Autism Diagnostic pathway and pre and post diagnostic support

Support for parents and carers

Voluntary Sector support and social groups

National organisations such as the National Autistic Society

The autism awareness raising and the development of a Derbyshire Autism Engagement Network element of the service will include,

Engaging with a variety of universal and targeted services to provide autism awareness raising, including within Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council.

Monthly drop-in sessions within varied locations, attending each of the Derbyshire County districts at least once per year

Monthly ad-hoc autism information and awareness sessions, as requested by Public Sector services

Monthly face-to-face parents and carers autism information and advice session held at varied locations, attending each of the Derbyshire County districts at least once per year Autism awareness raising sessions for Public Sector services, to include a guide to communication and support approaches for autistic people in different fields of work To support the ‘Autism Alliance’ of autistic adults and their families, parents/carers, professionals, and other support services to help shape future autism services.

An annual face-to-face autism information and advice event during World Autism Acceptance Week