Type of service: Day services, Domiciliary services, Play and leisure, Respite and short breaks, Befriending/mentoring, Family support and information services

Service URL: http://www.mencap.org.uk

The Family Autism Information, Advice and Guidance Service provides advice and support to families with children diagnosed with autism under the age of 19 throughout the county.

•    Do you have a child on the autism spectrum?
•    Are you looking for advice, information or support?
•    Are you struggling to access services?
•    Would you like to talk about your child's behaviour?

Getting support for a child on the autism spectrum and their family is often far from straightforward. This is because not all people on the autism spectrum fit the traditional idea of disability. As many parents know this causes frustration, The Family Autism Advice and Guidance Service aims to support families to get the best out of existing services and identify gaps in provision to inform future service developments.

The Family Autism Advisors will provide information, respond to telephone or email enquiries, and/or arrange a virtual meeting. Parents of children with a diagnosis will be invited to attend a What Now? Programme. The What Now? Programme supports parents in understanding their child's behaviour by providing a range of advice and strategies that often lead to positive changes. The programmes consist of 5 sessions run virtually.

The Family Autism Advice and Guidance Service covers Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness. Family Autism Advisors will work with families of children under the age of 19 who have a diagnosis of autism.

You can refer yourself to the service by contacting one of the Family Autism Advisors listed below or by contacting Carlisle Mencap. You can download and fill in a self-referral form which you can send in to one of the advisors or the main office.

The Family Autism Advisors only work part time and cover different areas:

•    Carlisle & Eden is Karen Dickie
Karen.Dickie@carlislemencap.co.uk  or 07730536842

•    Allerdale & Copeland is   
Emma Crabtree  Emma.Crabtree@carlislemencap.co.uk  or 07900923900

•    Furness is Nicola Brockbank
Nicola.Brockbank@carlislemencap.co.uk  or 07909231866

•    South Lakes is Shirley Gilpin
Shirley.Gilpin@carlislemencap.co.uk or 07795346632

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Adult sibling, Child , Child/adolescent sibling, Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of an adult, Partner

Specialisms: Generic