The local Children & Families Social Work Team asked ELCAP to support a mother and her young child Anna to live in the family home. This means that ELCAP give both Anna and her parent the support they require. Anna displays some behaviours that can be difficult and requires constant supervision for her own safety.

This level of daily support from ELCAP workers has enabled her mother to keep Anna at home with her. Anna and her mother have their own consistent support team. The mother and the ELCAP worker engage Anna in positive activities and reinforce her learning of skills which will aid her independence.

Mum says “ Anna enjoys lots of different physical activities such as swimming, soft play and going to the park. ELCAP staff help me to be able to do these things with Anna.”

ELCAP support worker says “ Anna is very challenging to work with and I always have to be one step ahead to keep her focussed. It takes lots of energy but is very worthwhile.”

Robert is a 15 year old boy who has Autism. ELCAP provides an intensive 24 hour support package, delivered in the family home. As well as supporting Robert and his family in all aspects of his needs, the support also encompasses his education programme. Our support staff deliver the curriculum, under the guidance of an outreach teacher, who visits two mornings per week.

The high level of commitment and strong working partnership of all the professionals involved from Social Work, Health, Education and ourselves as the Support Provider is very important to ensure a high quality and consistent service for Robert.

Robert cannot speak but his actions about his staff can speak volumes, “ I like when they come back. I put my hand on the window when I see someone I know coming in the gate. That makes me smile.”

Mother says “ We are all part of a team together, me and the staff. And we are treated as an entity, me and my child.” ELCAP support worker says, “What makes it worthwhile is when you look back and see the progress Robert has made. Once you get to know him you stop seeing the autism and connect with the personality. That’s why the team stick with it.”

ELCAP support a teenager Peter and his family. ELCAP have 2 roles – one to provide some fun and activity for Peter and the other to give his mother some time for herself and her daughter. Twice a year, ELCAP organise a short break for Peter. This usually takes the form of a long weekend. ELCAP find suitable holiday accommodation which meets Peter’s needs. Peter goes away with ELCAP support staff for a fun filled weekend break where he does lots of activities. This gives Peter the opportunity to try new things, learn new skills and have quality time all for himself. His Mum equally gets some well deserved time to herself without the responsibility and demands of a teenage boy for a whole weekend. This goes a little way to helping her restore her energy while knowing her son is having a good time too!

Peter says ” I look forward to going out at the weekend with my staff. We have fun. I had a great time going away for the weekend trying new things.”

Mum says “I trust the staff and they are completely focussed on my son, which leaves me free to spend time with my other child.”

ELCAP support staff say “Going away for a break with Peter gives you a wider perspective on his life. He really enjoys himself as its totally his time. And it is great to see how relaxed his Mum looks afterwards.”