Autism Anglia is committed to ensuring all steps are taken to protect the health and wellbeing of all our staff and those who use our services. We have been, and are continuing to keep fully abreast of developments relating to the continued spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the UK. This is achieved by routinely monitoring developments, reviewing our protocols, and preparing appropriate responses as the situation evolves.

We are adhering to and taking the necessary advice from the Government, Public Health England, OFSTED and CQC guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to this each service has specific risk assessments completed bespoke to the area and presenting needs.

In addition, every property has a robust continuity plan to safely manage any eventuality we may face. Also, we have clear action plans in place should any of our services have an outbreak of the virus.

All areas of our properties have been subject to enhanced cleaning regimes to ensure the safety of all the people we support, in residential services, supported living homes and Opportunity Centres and our pupils at Doucecroft School. Staff are required to adhere to safe and advised hygiene routines and always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment.

We have implemented regular training for our staff to ensure proper personal hygiene and awareness of COVID-19. This is vital to help combat the spread of viruses and the health of our staff, pupils and all people we care for in Adult Service homes.

Pupils, people we support, and staff are utilising the outside areas of the properties as much as possible, local areas for exercise and working with the placing authorities where needed. Working together is vitally important during these unprecedented times.

We fully appreciate the impact that stringent control measures have had on our staff, pupils, people we support and their families, but by making informed and best interest choices we have managed so far to mitigate the number of cases of Covid across our Charity.

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UPDATE 5th January 2021

In light of the recent government changes introducing the Tier 5 lockdown nationwide, we have had to make some changes to our services.

The changes are as follows:

• Doucecroft School - Open (all updates will be emailed to parents and carers directly).

• Welfare Rights Service - Open

• Jigsaw Opportunities Centre – Closed. The Jigsaw Team will be available to speak to over the phone, please call 01206 561877. The team will be emailing activity packs to all people we support and regularly updating the Autism Anglia - Jigsaw Centre Facebook page with advice and activities.

• Norfolk Opportunities Centre – Open with some restrictions, people we support will be contacted directly.

• Supported Living – Referrals are still being taken; click here.

• Diagnostics Service – Updates to follow.

• Residential Homes – We will continue to enable contact with family.

• Outreach - Essential support visits to most vulnerable, welfare calls will continue. People we support will be contacted directly.

Further updates will appear both on this page and via our social media accounts (Facebook and Twitter).

We understand that this is a difficult and worrying time for everyone, which can be even harder for people with Autism. I would like to thank our wonderful team here at Autism Anglia who have been working hard to keep everyone safe and minimise disruption as much as possible to all the children and adults we provide education and support to.

Kate Hancock
Chief Executive Officer