Key Partners

NORSACA

NORSACA is a registered charity and company that was started on the initiative of a group of parents in 1968. It is still maintained today by parents and friends of people with Austistic Spectrum Condition. The Society is based in Nottingham and exists to serve people with ASC and their families, predominantly in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and, where appropriate, adjacent counties and local authorities.

NORSACA provides services directly to people with autism and their families through its Adult, Children’s and Family Services sections. It also gives a high priority to awareness raising, provision of information and representing interests, and increasingly, in working with the public sector and other voluntary organisations to help improve and expand services.

The Society's objective is to ensure that people resident in the NORSACA area, whose lives are affected by ASC or a related condition, receive services most appropriate to their needs and, as a result, enjoy the greatest possible quality of life.

Whitegates College

One of NORSACA's provisions, Whitegates College is a provision committed to providing educational, social and personal development and life skill opportunities to young people from 16 years old with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, through its Stepping Stones programme.

The college provides a realistic learning environment, which promotes development into adulthood through continual assessment of individual needs. Each student follows an Individual Learning Programme and timetable based upon their assessed needs and abilities.

College staff are qualified and experienced in working with adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Conditions; they are skilled and trained in the management and reduction of challenging behaviors by adopting non-aversive approaches.

Students are supported on their programmes with communication strategies which are individually tailored and guided by specialist Speech & Language Therapists. Whitegates College operates a 50 week highly structured timetable.

Staffing ratios are high with many students receiving 1:1 support.

You can find further information about NORSACA services and Whitegates College by contacting info @norsaca.org.uk

West Nottinghamshire College - Derby Road Campus

As part of supporting the Stepping Stones curriculum, learners will have an opportunity to use and transfer knowledge and skills into as many different environments and situations as possible, demonstrating an appropriate range of behaviours to support successful transition into future environments.

Individuals or small groups will be encouraged to make informed choices and decisions, linking into a wide range of taster sessions within Schools of Learning, hopefully progressing further into full-time provision. Possibilities may include a range of courses from foundation studies, up to level 3-4 qualifications and academic programmes.

BAY6

The idea of the centre is to enable learners to progress into employment whilst giving them practical experience in a sheltered supported environment, increased confidence and belief in what they can achieve. BAY6 will provide learners with a realistic insight into working life and independency.

You can find more information about the range of courses and facilities at West Nottinghamshire College and BAY6 at www.wnc.ac.uk

Other Key Partners

Discussions with other key partners in the local area are underway regarding the development of further provision and facilities for young people with ASC.

Links into the wider region with South Notts College are highlighting the potential to work in partnership to develop a Nottingham City based provision.