Contact details for these services can be found here.
As a Local Authority Resource, Social Work Resources have a role to play in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Children with ASD are considered to be children with a disability and the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 identifies children with a disability as being ‘Children in Need’.
The main aim of Social Work Resources within South Lanarkshire, in relation to children with a disability, is to provide services that minimise the effect of the disability. Social Work Resources have a specific responsibility to undertake an assessment of need when requested to do by the family of any child with a disability, and prepare a care plan based upon this. The individual’s assessed needs are then monitored and reviewed. More generally, Social Work Resources provide a range of services either directly or indirectly. These include:
- Advice and counselling
- Advocacy
- Befriending
- Domiciliary and home care support
- Family Placement services
- Information services
- Residential, family and community based short breaks (respite)
- Support for carers and carers groups, including young carers
- Welfare benefits advice/assistance with reviews/appeals of decisions
Local Social Work Office Support
The six local Social Work Offices can be found at: Hamilton, East Kilbride, Lanark, Larkhall, Blantyre and Rutherglen.
Generally, it is staff from these local offices, which will respond to requests for support from families and carry out assessments. Staff who carry out assessments will:
- Provide support and information that you may need
- Provide a benefits check which will include advice about available benefits and how to apply for them
- Gather information about your current circumstances, needs and wishes
- With your permission, speak to other organisations or staff who have contact with your family
- Prepare assessment and care plan paperwork. These reports and plans will record your current family circumstances, identify your needs and the support or services which might assist
- Agree a time scale for a review of your situation you receive.
In addition to the above, there are a number of specialist assessment and support services, which may be accessed through Social Work Offices. These include Occupational Therapy, Physical and Sensory Impairment Specialist Staff and the Child & Family Disability Resource Team. If an arrangement highlights a need for a service, which does not exist, attempts will be made to make other arrangements. Service development is dependent upon financial resources. From June 2003, people who are eligible to receive community care services will have the option of arranging these through the provision of a direct payment.
The Child & Family Disability Resource Team
This team covers South Lanarkshire and is responsible for developing policy, services and practice for children with a disability and their families. The team has additional responsibilities for the following areas:
- Representing Social Work Resources at all Pre-school Community Assessment Team (Pre-scat) meetings
- Co-ordinating the Future Needs Process and representing Social Work Resources at Future Needs meetings
- Managing the Shared Care family based respite scheme
- Developing / co-ordinating respite services
- Co-ordinating the provision of residential respite
- Working closely with schools
- Liaising with Play and Leisure Services and other relevant agencies
- Promoting Parents & Carers Support groups
- Offering advice and information to colleagues and families
- Providing professional support to the Young Carer’s Development Worker
For further information, contact: The Child & Family Disability Resource Team, Social Work Resources
Future Needs
Social Work also has a duty to assess the needs of young people for services, which they may require currently, or when leaving school under the Future Needs process (Transitional Planning). Within South Lanarkshire, a local office social worker normally completes the Social Work report which contributes to the overall Future Needs Assessment, although the Child & Family Disability Resource Team occasionally undertakes this task. Services which young people may access include supported employment, supported living, day care and alternative services.
Short Breaks (Respite)
Respite services provide parents/carers with a short break from the demands of caring and in turn, aim to offer young people meaningful and enjoyable experiences. Respite care can take the form of:
- Care within a family setting (e.g. Shared Care)
- Care within a residential setting
- Community based activity groups (e.g. The Saturday Club)
- Extra help within the home
- Help to access local social, recreational and play facilities
- Supported holidays
- Shared Care - is a family based respite scheme for children and young people with a disability, including children with ASD.
The Saturday Club
The key aims of this service are to offer an opportunity for respite to parents/carers of young people with Asperger Syndrome or similar difficulties and to provide an opportunity for young people with AS to develop their personal and social skills. Most young people attending have a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and attend mainstream schooling with support. The ratio of worker to young person is approximately 1-2. The service is run in partnership with Universal Connections in East Kilbride and takes the form of a fortnightly activity-based group for young people aged 11 – 14 years. A second Club for young people aged 8-11 years is planned to commence in June 2003.
Staff have previous relevant experience and a steering group, consisting of representation from social work, health and education oversees the development of the club and considers new referrals.
Swimming Lessons
See entry under Leisure.
Larkhall Youth Club
The aim of this service is to offer social and leisure opportunities to young people aged 12 – 16 years with additional needs. The Youth Club meets on a Saturday in Larkhall Resource Centre and is able to offer 12 places with a high staff / young person ratio. During school term time the Youth Club meets every three weeks and during the summer holidays it meets every fortnight. Priority is given to young people in the Larkhall area but if places are available then referrals from out with the area may be accepted. This service can be accessed through the Child and Family Disability Resource Team (Larkhall Youth Club Steering Group).
School Links
The Child and Family Disability Resource Team have links with several schools for children with Special Educational Needs, including Units and Bases for children with ASD. This allows parents to access information, advice or support from Social Work Resources.
Links With Parent/Carer Groups
The Child and Family Disability Resource Team have links with the Clydesdale Autism Support Group and the South Lanarkshire Branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS) in East Kilbride. There role is to support the development of these groups and to offer information, advice and support as required.
Links with other resources/organisations
Social Work Resources continually liase with other resources and organisations including those which provide social, leisure and play opportunities.
If you would like more information regarding Shared Care, The Saturday Club or other community based supports, please contact the Child & Family Disability Resource Team.
Family Support Services
Social work staff are based within a range of settings, and work jointly with Health, Education and Psychological Services, other Council Services and the ‘Voluntary’ Sector. In addition to the services mentioned above, the following exist:
- Cambuslang Family Centre
- Whitehill Family Centre
- Halfmerke Family Support Team
- Rigside Family Support Team
- Children and Young People’s Counselling Service
- Lone Parent Support Project
- Children’s Rights and Advocacy Service
About Autism Index
Autism In Lananarkshire
What is autism?
What is Asperger syndrome?
'Next Steps' Resources
More About Autism & Asperger syndrome
Frequently Asked Questions
Interventions
Education Services
Health Services
Social Work Services
Leisure Services
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