Coventry and Warwickshire CASS
A new Community Autism Support Service (CASS) has launched to support families across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Residents in Coventry and Warwickshire who may self-identify as autistic, those awaiting an autism assessment and those with an autism diagnosis will have more choice in the emotional and practical support available.
Building on the familiar existing CASS (Community Autism Support Service), this service will see new elements introduced as a result of feedback from families and coproduced with local residents.
The service will also be easier to access using a single ‘front door’ approach. This will mean that residents can access this all-age service through a single phone number and dedicated website, available now. The service draws on the collective strengths of local organisations Coventry and Warwickshire Mind and Act for Autism, working in a collaborative partnership with Autism West Midlands.
The main aim of the new CASS service is to be responsive to local need, providing better targeted support in the community. CASS aims to improve autism understanding and contribute to greater lived experience; helping to support self-esteem, confidence, relationships and helping to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health.
First contact with CASS will be with the Navigation Service, a single phone number and email with a dedicated support team, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Based on individual needs, the team will help with emotional support and signpost, provide information and, if required, identify further personalised support, as follows:
- Community Outreach service – an experienced Coventry and Warwickshire-based team, working with individuals to identify goals and provide group, one-to-one and themed support for children, young people and adults.
- Peer mentoring service – available in the coming months, this new element of CASS aims to connect autistic individuals with trained peer mentors, with their own lived-experience, helping to support with daily routines, confidence building, and wellbeing support, exploring opportunities to engage in local activities and social and community groups.
- Training and education – a hugely valuable programme of courses and webinars to suit all needs. Workshops, toolbox sessions and recorded materials help build confidence and improve autism understanding. Drawing on lived experience, all sessions and courses provide effective and practical support for day-to-day living, in the community, in school, and in the workplace.
CASS is available by calling the dedicated local-dial telephone support line 024 7601 2333 – five days a week (Monday–Friday), 8am–8pm.