ECL Basildon receives autism specialist accreditation
We are thrilled to announce that our Basildon Day Centre for people with learning disabilities and/or autism has gained the National Autistic Society’s Autism Specialist accreditation.
This national charity award is in recognition of the centre’s dedication to providing excellent support for autistic people.
The accreditation is testament to the service’s person-centred approach to care as well as its community-based focus on building social connections and reducing isolation.
ECL Basildon supports more than 40 people with learning disabilities and/or autism in the area, helping them to acquire new skills, make friends, build confidence, and engage with the local community.
Peter Fairley, ECL’s Managing Director said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the National Autistic Society’s Autism Specialist Accreditation. The Basildon team are dedicated to ensuring that everyone that attends the service achieves their independence goals. They work incredibly hard to support people to flourish by tailoring activities and communications so that they get the most from their time with us. This accreditation is testament to their commitment to upholding our organisational values of caring, teamwork, integrity, and excellence in everything they do.”
This is accreditation is testament to the Basildon team's commitment to person-centred support that ensures the people using the service flourish and achieve their independence goals.
Peter Fairley, Managing Director, ECL
Our Basildon Learning Disabilities Service was commended by the National Autistic Society for its tailored approach to helping individuals communicate.
People like Lorna, 36, who has autism and a learning disability. She has attended ECL Basildon for two years and is thriving.
After moving from Suffolk to Essex, Lorna was struggling with the transition of living in a new place and attending a new day centre.
Lorna had tried several other day centres that were not the right fit, before trying ECL.
When she started at our Basildon service the team quickly recognised that Lorna was struggling with having recently moved and utilised its in-house clinical team to help her settle in.
Our Positive Behaviour Support Advisor, David Hitchin worked with Lorna to help her express herself, giving her a greater sense of control and ensuring she felt heard and valued.
This also helped her to communicate more effectively with others attending the centre which made making new friends easier.
Lorna’s mum, Tina, said: “The team at ECL Basildon have helped Lorna greatly; she has done more at this day centre than anywhere else she's been to. As a result, she is more independent but has help when needed. She has made real friends there that ‘get’ her. They really deserve the autism accreditation.”
The team at ECL Basildon have helped Lorna greatly; she has done more at this day centre than anywhere else she's been to. They really deserve the autism accreditation.
Tina, Lorna's mum
The National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation Programme is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme of support and development for all those providing services to autistic people.
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “We are delighted that ECL Basildon has achieved the Autism Specialist Award. The team should be exceptionally proud of their achievement and commitment towards improving support for autistic people.”
ECL offers a range of services for people over the age of 18 years with autism and all types of learning disabilities; from mild, to severe and profound. Working with individuals to create a personalised plan to work towards desired life goals.
For more information about the Autism Specialist Award, visit the National Autistic Society website.