IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR SERVICE
Dear Parents
Oxfordshire County Council will be recommissioning services for disabled children from April 2017, including community short breaks (holiday playschemes, after-school activities and youth groups) and overnight respite.
Proposed budget cuts present critical threats to our work.
The proposed cuts will mean all our family support work will NOT be funded from April 2017 onwards.
The following services are CRITICALLY AT RISK:
· ALL information, advice, and support to parents and young people, currently carried out by Becky Loveless and Sam Burkin – the only 2 family support workers specifically for families living with autism in Oxfordshire
· Support via advice surgeries, telephone, and email, to parents and professionals.
· 1:1 work with children and young people.
· Weekly E-bulletins, and regular information on social media.
· Challenging Behaviour course.
· Youth group places
· Support provided for young people to attend our activities
· Abingdon Aspies parent support group for parents on the spectrum.
· Support to Oxford Aspies.
· Jointly facilitating EarlyBird parenting course.
· Workshops for young people.
· Training and consultation for professionals
We know that the impact on our families will be devastating, as many of you rely on our support.
We invite you to please give your feedback EITHER ONLINE or at our PUBLIC MEETING
The Council would like your views on what is important to you so that they can provide services that most meet the needs of disabled children and young people and their families.
We fervently request your comments and support. You can learn more and give your feedback either online or at our meeting.
ONLINE:
Please click on the link below and complete the short survey from Oxfordshire County Council. There are a few multiple choice questions, as well as plenty of space to type your own comments if you wish, on the proposed cuts, the potential impact on your family, as well as if and how we currently support you.
Please respond by 9th June 2016.
http://digitalforgood.org/occ-survey/
PUBLIC MEETING
We are holding two public meetings to inform you of the proposed cuts, discuss the impact on our service, and to share ideas on how we can all help to sustain our work
Date: Tuesday 7th June 2016
Time: 10am-12noon
Venue: Arc-T Centre, Crowell Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3LN (Map below)
Parking is available in the Castle Carpark which is adjacent (£1.00 for 0-3 hours)
OR
Date: Wednesday 8th June 2016
Time: 7pm-9pm
Venue: Arc-T Centre, Crowell Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 3LN (Map below)
On street Parking is available on surrounding roads (Castle Carpark closes at 6:30pm)
PLEASE NOTE:
Childcare is NOT provide at meetings
RSVP: To help us plan, please let us know you are attending: please email judith@afso.org.uk
The proposed cuts present real and critical threats to our work. We request your comments and support. Please do give your feedback either online or at the meeting.
Your views are important, and our united response and working together will help sustain our work!
Thank you for your support
Gita Lobo
Chief Executive Officer
c/o Thomley Hall Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, HP18 9JZ
T: 07929 379125 (Direct) 01844 338696 (office)
E: gita@afso.org.uk
W: www.afso.org.uk