Autism Lead Sam Farrow is Site Lead at Corby’s Teamwork Trust site, and works across all three centres to transition autistic service users into the charity. She also delivers training to colleagues to ensure they stay up to date with neurodiverse best practise and attends Northamptonshire Autism Champion Network meetings to champion the needs of people with autism within the county …

 

My area of expertise is autism and …

I have undertaken several qualifications, including TEACCH training and Social Stories with Carol Grey. I am also an Essential Autism license trainer, trained to deliver training to my colleagues, equipping Teamwork Trust staff with a basic understanding of the needs of an autistic service user, and how they can support them in the best way.

For the last five years I have been attending monthly Autism Champion Network meetings, meeting with other representatives of services in the county and individuals with lived experience, listening to talks and sharing our expertise and knowledge. It’s essential to champion the needs of autistic  people within the county.

Strategy is key…

When it comes to supporting autistic people to develop and achieve their tailored, progression goals. Supporting someone when they transition into our service really sets them on the path to success. We carry out an assessment and design a strategy for progression, and then share this with staff and stakeholders who will be supporting the individual.

I’ll give you an example. Recently, a non-verbal autistic service user transitioned into our service. For this story I’ll call her Jane. I helped design a tailored schedule for Jane, one that enabled her to join in and feel comfortable and safe, reducing her anxiety. Jane was supported by all staff, who encouraged and supported her to join in with activities. This service user can be protective about certain games and objects and becomes frustrated when she can’t communicate this distress, so a tailored behaviour support plan has proved life changing.

Jane has become more confident and less frustrated. She now feels more empowered to join in with activities, classes and the outsourcing work we do in partnership with local businesses.

Jane doesn’t like the word ‘no’ so finding alternatives communication styles such as the words ‘finished now’ or ‘do it again later’ in conjunction with British Sign Language (BSL) and visual aids has also helped her to manage these emotions and help staff to understand her more.

Jane is just one example of how we tailor our approach to each individual. This bespoke approach is key to our success and to the success and happiness of our service users. 

Part of my role has been helping adults with autism get work ready and …

At Teamwork Trust we work hard to support our service users to gain employability skills – whether it is gaining skills that move them closer to employment, volunteering or getting involved in projects in our community. We also offer advice and support to employers who may be thinking of employing autistic adults. Even with only a little bit of intervention and help from us, our support can make all the difference.

A typical day in my role includes…

Meeting and assessing new starters who have a diagnosis of autism across all three sites and designing and revisiting strategies with individuals and adapting these if their needs change.  Training and supporting colleagues so they can support service users is also key to my role.

Outside of work…

I enjoy traveling around the UK in my vintage caravan called Edna, I’m a keen crocheter and knitter and have been involved in local yarn bombing events. I also like to sing and watching live music.

Our 3 Centre Leads - Sam, Olly & Kizzy