You said, we're listening, we did
Parent Consultation and Contribution to the Local Offer
Cumberland SEND Local Offer is continually developing and your feedback is important to help us shape the future delivery. We aim to be approachable, transparent and constructive to make sure that all views are acknowledged and considered.
The feedback and comments we have received are recorded below, along with our response and subsequent actions.
If you would like to provide feedback with regards to the autism services on offer in Cumbria, the information we provide or general views on Cumberland SEND Local Offer website please contact us. Your views are important.
Response to feedback
| You said.... There is often a delay in between being told your child has a diagnosis of autism and the report being received. We cannot get access to services until the official diagnosis is received. This is really frustrating. |
| We did... A one page statement of diagnosis has been put in place. This can go out to parents as soon as the diagnosis is made via email or letter. We are working towards all reports being ready in a timely way and the statement will not be necessary. However, it is now in place when required. |
| You said... We don't like our children as having a disorder or condition: ie Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). |
We did... The consultation results [PDF 214.82KB] stated that most autistic individuals and families preferred identity first language, that is:
This was instead of other terms used such as:
We are now working on rolling out this terminology across multiple organisations in the county. This will ensure families are met with more consistency when speaking about autism. We appreciate parent and carer’s patience while this work is taking place. |
| You said... Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) pathway process for families at the start of the process, so we can see what should happen and when and understand timescales. |
| We did... We have mapped the process and will be providing digital information in the form of leaflets that can be printed. |