Health and social care awards 2010

Opening the door for people with autistic spectrum conditions leads to prestigious award nomination

A scheme that provides help and support to local people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions has been shortlisted for a prestigious regional award.

Open Door, based on Hainton Avenue, is a social enterprise funded by North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus in partnership with the Big Life group of social businesses and charities.

The service has been nominated in the Support for Independence category at the 2010 Yorkshire and Humber Health and Social Care Awards for the work done by the Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) outreach team.

The ASC outreach service is designed to provide outreach support to people over 16 who have an autistic spectrum condition. Autistic spectrum condition (ASC) is an umbrella term and includes a number of different conditions including autism, Rett’s syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and Asperger syndrome.While these are distinct conditions, they all share common features and are seen as lying along a spectrum which ranges from mild symptoms to severely impaired.

People with an ASC have difficulty making sense of the world. These difficulties are primarily around social interaction and communication, meaning that they can often find social situations difficult and distressing, and as a result can become very isolated.

Open Door offers one-to-one support from dedicated and trained outreach support workers including social inclusion, signposting to other agencies, advocacy and support to attend activities and appointments as well as access to all other Open Door services.

Rob Baty, social care manager for Open Door, said: “We are thrilled that we have been shortlisted for this award.

“Many people with autistic spectrum conditions suffer enormous limitations on their life opportunities because of the absence of adequate support to enable them to fulfil their potential.

“Open Door’s ASC service works with individuals to develop the skills and confidence to ensure they can aspire to a better tomorrow.”

The Yorkshire and Humber awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 7 October at Saviles Hall in Leeds. All regional winners will also then be entered for a national award.

Residents wanting further information about the ASC outreach service or Open Door should contact Rob Baty social care manager or Carin Pollexfen senior case worker, 01472 722000 or visit the website at

posted: 19/05/2010

Find out more about how Open Door is helping local people, with the latest evaluation.