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Autism Jersey have maintained the high standards required of Autism Accreditation, having retained their accredited status under an internationally recognised scheme run under the auspices of the National Autistic Society.
Autism Jersey was first accredited in 2014. Reviews take place every three years. In September, three advisers from services already accredited by the NAS spent three days with the charitable organisation, looking at all aspects of their work including support plans, daily records and practice.
Their report was published this month [November] and concludes that Autism Jersey provides an invaluable service.
*All staff are open and welcoming to autistic people and their families and go to great lengths to ensure that needs are met appropriately.
*Staff are calm, patient and respectful when interacting with autistic people.
*Staff work hard to encourage autistic people to be self-reliant and to provide opportunities to make choices.
Stephen Dedridge, Senior Advisor (South), Autism Accreditation, said: ‘The awarding panel congratulate Autism Jersey upon maintaining the high standards required of Autism Accreditation. The service has demonstrated a strong and continuing commitment to the Autism Accreditation process, this being the second time they have been accredited. It was evident from the peer review report that the service offers effective, person-centred support that can be considered transformative in the impact it has on autistic people and their families.’
Chief Operations Officer Paul Sullivan said: ‘We are delighted to retain the award. It’s actually harder to retain than to gain it in the first place.
‘It is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in Autism Jersey – including the people and families we support as well as staff and other agencies we work with.
‘The award indicates to families, carers and potential employees that we have a real knowledge and understanding of autism.
‘Of course, it doesn’t mean we stand still. We are constantly working to improve person-specific services and meet the needs of autistic people in the Island.’
Quotes from the review
Family:
‘Autism Jersey has helped us make sense of, and obtain support for, a bewildering and prolonged process (of diagnosis). We had no idea of where to turn until someone suggested we contact them.’
Adults with autism:
‘I haven’t been involved with Autism Jersey for long but I’m finding it really helpful. It’s really good just to get out of the house and be with other people as I’ve become quite isolated. I struggle to socialise and don’t have a lot of confidence but the groups Autism Jersey run are a supported environment where I feel more comfortable meeting people.’
‘I feel the services provided are of a very high standard, friendly, open, approachable, accessible, advice as well as continued support and monitoring. Life-saving and changing.’
‘If it wasn’t for Autism Jersey, I would not be living.’
For further detail, the key findings of the report were:
*Autism Jersey promotes a positive appreciation of autism as a diverse way of thinking and experiencing the world. Staff identify and employ the best way of interaction with each autistic person to reinforce their sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
*Families are fully consulted and treated as partners in the support of their family member, according to the age, capacity and wishes of the autistic person.
*Autistic adults, young people and children who are supported by Autism Jersey enjoy an exceptionally varied and enriched programme of community, enrichment and leisure activities that are tailored to their strengths and interests as well as offering them new challenges and experiences.
*Staff are proactive in the management of behaviours where the autistic person may be showing anxiety, frustration, confusion or agitation. They quickly identify the best way of helping them restore a feeling of being calm and in control.
*The Supported Living service enables autistic people to make sense of their environment and encourages them to be self-reliant and independent within it. Each autistic person is enabled to become increasingly self-reliant.
