Useful Information ... |
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Our Address – We are based at 6 Sandpiper Court, Harrington Lane, Pinhoe, Exeter, EX4 8NS. Our ‘what3words’ location is wider.tonic.delay.
Visiting Us - We are fully accessible for wheelchair users. There is free parking for visitors at the rear of our centre.
Policies – We have all policies in place to ensure the quality of our service and meet quality assurance requirements including Admissions and Referrals, Behaviour and Anti-Bullying, Confidentiality and Data Protection, DBS Checks, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, E-Safety, Health and Safety, Making a Complaint, Missing Child or Young Person, Outings and Trips and Safeguarding. All policies are available to view in paper form at our centre or can be requested by email.
Newsletter – We distribute free termly newsletters to families and educational settings. If you would like to be added to our email distribution list, please email [email protected]. You can be removed from our distribution list at any time by emailing us your request.
Facebook – Follow us on Facebook at ‘South West Autism Support Services’ for regular updates regarding our services and training events.
Term Dates – South West Autism do not usually close during school holidays, but services may be limited during these periods due to staff annual leave.
Photo Gallery - Our photo gallery is regularly updated with activities that take place in our centre and in the community. This is a useful tool for parents to start conversations with their young people about time spent at our centre or to give new families some insight into our services and support. Identifiable photos of young people that access our services will never be used in our photo gallery, newsletters, social media or promotional materials without prior consent.
Safeguarding – Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Lisa McCullagh. All team members receive regular safeguarding training. If you have any concerns relating to the safety of a child or young person please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub at [email protected] or telephone 0345 155 1071.
Emergency or Crisis Contacts
Samaritans - Tel 116 123 or email [email protected] - call free day or night.
Childline - 0800 1111 - calls are free (even if you don't have credit) and won't show on your phone bill.
NHS - call 111 for non-emergencies, 999 for emergencies.
Shout - Text 85258, 24/7 text service, free on all major networks for anyone in crisis, anytime, anywhere.
Police - call 101 for non-emergencies, 999 for emergencies.
DBS Checks – All team members hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate. These are registered on the update service and monitored on a termly basis.
First Aid – All team members are trained in first aid and hold current certificates.
Quality of Services – If you have any concerns regarding our services please email us, in the first instance, with details of your concern to [email protected].
Delivery of our Services – Services and support can be delivered face to face at our centre. Alternatively, we can offer consultations via Teams on-line.
South West Autism C.I.C. – This is a Community Interest Company that obtains funds through grants, donations and fundraising events. Its purpose is to help families engage in support and social opportunities.
Terms and Conditions – Before support can begin you will be asked to provide us with a completed Referral Form and signed Terms and Conditions.
Animals in our Centre - As you will see on our 'meet our team' page, we have two support dogs, Frankie and Ruby that often spend time with children and young people at our centre. We do, of course, completely understand that some children and young people are fearful of animals or have concerns regarding allergies. Please do share your concerns with us if you're visiting the centre so that we can accommodate your needs.
Our Privacy Notice - With the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulations on 25th May 2018 we are required to advise clients of the following information regarding the data that we hold about them.
Your Data - We are required to collect information regarding our clients and their families in order to carry out our support work. This information is used to make contact and to make plans and personal programs regarding the support that you or your young person requires. Information is collected from you during our registration procedure. Additional information may be requested during our support process. We will only use your information for the purpose for which it was intended. We will not collect any more information than is necessary.
Storing Information - We ensure that all information and data is stored securely. We will endeavour to keep only digital records and these are stored securely on password protected devices. If paper copies of information are required these are stored securely within a secure cabinet. Telephone numbers and email addresses that you have provided us with may be stored on staff members work mobile devices but will only be used for the purpose for which they were provided. We are required to retain information for a period of time for accounting purposes, namely six years.
Sharing Information - The information that you provide us with will be regarded as confidential. We will not share your information with anyone else without your permission. If there are occasions where we need to share your information with an outside agency or professional, we will seek your consent before doing so. We ensure that access to your information is restricted to those authorised to see it. Members of staff will only use your information for the purposes of their work. We do not share information about your family or your young person with anyone else without your prior consent. An exception will be made to this with regards to safeguarding concerns – please see our Safeguarding Policy for additional information – we are obliged to share confidential information without authorisation if there is evidence that a young person is suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm or to prevent significant harm or serious crime.
Your Rights - Parents and young people have the right to request access to information that we hold about them. To make a request to see your personal data (or your child’s if the child is too young to give consent) please contact the directors of South West Autism. It is your right to ask us to correct any of the personal information that we hold. You may also contact the Directors if you would like to discuss anything in this Privacy Notice. If you have a concern about the way we are collecting or using your personal data, you should contact us in the first instance. Alternatively, you should contact the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk/concerns.
Our Team - All members of our team are aware of the GDPR regulations. Staff members have access to your information if it is required for the purposes of their job role. Overall responsibility lies with the Data Protection Lead and the Directors of South West Autism.
