Taunton Autism Support Group

This is a specialist county wide service within the Children and Families branch of Somerset Social Services.

The four area based teams comprise, Team Leaders, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Social Work Assistants, Family Support Workers, Somerset Supporter Area Link Workers, Resource Workers (short break fostering), Residential Workers, Somerset Supporters and administrative support staff.

Some of the team are involved in assessing the needs of disabled children and their carers (e.g. Social Workers and Occupational Therapists) and others are involved in the direct provision of services (e.g. Residential Workers and Somerset Supporters).

The Children with Disabilities Services aims to work in partnership with families to identify their particular needs and to provide emotional and practical support to help meet those needs. They then seek to review and adjust support as needs change. They work closely with others in the disability network to try to provide a coherent and holistic service. With family permission they share information with other professionals so as to help to co-ordinate service delivery.

They are only able to work with children with a permanent severe disability throughout childhood until the young person becomes an adult at 18 years of age.

If your child does not fulfil these criteria then the team may be able to advise you regarding other possible sources of help.