Bristol CCG - Structured Parenting Support Programme for Parents of Children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition

NHS Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group intends to commission a structured parenting support programme for parents of children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition diagnosis aged between 9-18 with the aim of: • Giving parents/full time carers a greater understanding of their autistic young person’s behaviour. • Helping parents/full time carers be able to cope with their autistic young person’s behaviour within the family. • Helping parents communicate more effectively with their autistic young person. • Improving the quality of family life resulting in the prevention of family breakdown. The Bristol Autism Strategy 2012-15 highlights the need for parent/carer support: The caring role for parents and other family carers for people with autism is life-long.

In the early years it establishes a foundation for future relationships, education and life chances. The carers, unlike most parents continue to offer intensive and active support of their children into and throughout adulthood.

They may need support to balance this continuing role with the needs of the young person to achieve increasing levels of independence as they develop and change. Families also need confidence in any service that is going to offer support to their family member.

Family carers or relatives of people with autism should have the opportunity to learn about autism and to practice ways of responding to their loved ones’ communication and behaviour as a means of helping them to gain confidence in their relationship with others. We recognise rates of family breakdown are high in families who have children with autism and want to prevent such breakdown by a variety of supports.

The service will; • bring parents/full time carers together to share information and ideas and experience in a structured way. • support and enable parents/full time carers to build supportive relationships with the course facilitator and other parents/full time carers and to share information and personal experiences and stories. • in a structured manner, encourage parents/full time carers to try out new parenting skills at home, and reflect on this experience in the group. • facilitate the formation of parent/full time carer networks through follow up events. The contract duration will be for an initial period of 3 years, with the option to extend for a further period of 2 years.

The service commencement date is 1st April 2016. The values stated in this advert are the total funding available from the CCG inclusive of any VAT or other tax liability.

The lowest / actual value (£) covers the initial period of the contract. The highest value (£) includes the initial period of the contract and optional extension.