Bolton – Adults

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Assessment

The list below shows you what services are available depending on where you are in your assessment journey. Whether you suspect you/your child may be Autistic, you are awaiting a formal diagnostic assessment, or you may recently have had such an assessment, there is a service to help.

Pre-assessment

Any information or activity offered to parents as a pre-assessment service.

This is not a pre-assessment service as such but carers of autistic people and autistic people themselves can access general support via Bolton Adults Autism Support which is a voluntary sector provider.

 Home | BAAS | Befriending & Adult Autism Support

The diagnostic services

Trafford Autism Spectrum Conditions Diagnostic Service is part of the Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.  Currently Autism diagnoses for adults in Bolton are made via the Trafford Extended Service, but post-diagnostic support is provided by the Bolton Autism Spectrum Conditions Support Team which was established in 2012. 
 
The service user must initially be referred by their GP for a diagnostic assessment. Service users are offered a period of 1:1 support initially which assesses and helps with current issues and difficulties.  They are also offered a 10-week Post Diagnostic Support Group which assists in adjusting to the diagnosis builds opportunity for social contact and develops confidence.

Bolton adult diagnosis

Post-diagnosis

Services / groups/ activities offered after diagnosis.

The Bolton Autism Spectrum Conditions Support Team (ASC) provides post-diagnostic support for adults with a diagnosis of Autism who are registered with a Bolton GP. We are based at Barnett House in Bolton. 

The service is aimed at adults (over 18 years) in Bolton. Our service users can be referred by their GP or another Health/Social Care professional for short-term support, depending on need.

Service users are given a period of one-to-one support initially, which helps them to identify their autistic differences including any current issues and difficulties. Information about the service users’ autistic differences are compiled into a report, including some reasonable adjustment recommendations that could be implemented by others including; employers, health care service or education providers to support the service user. Then they may be offered the opportunity to attend an eleven-week post-diagnostic support group, which provides autism specific psychoeducation about several topics. 
We are flexible in how our services are delivered, offering virtual appointments over MS Teams as well as traditional, face-to-face sessions. 

Our service is open to Bolton residents, who are over 18 years old, with an existing diagnosis of an Autism spectrum condition. ASC staff will work with other professionals providing specialist support as needed in individual cases. We are also actively involved in delivering Autism Awareness training to other services and local providers. We work closely with other organisations in Bolton, such as Bolton college, Bolton University, Job Centre Plus, housing and probation services. 
We recognise that Autism requires a flexible and individual-based approach, and our service users are involved in service development and activities wherever possible. Recent evaluations of the service have been extremely positive and we are constantly striving to establish innovative services that can positively improve the lives of Autistic adults across Bolton. Autism Spectrum Conditions Support Team | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)

Sensory

Autistic people often experience their senses differently and understanding this can be the key to supporting the autistic person to self-regulate and understand themselves better: Here are some useful resources about sensory needs and differences’.

Bolton Sensory Support Services – this is mainly for children but also supports autistic adults up to 25 years old.
Sensory Support Service overview – SEND Local Offer (bolton.gov.uk)

GM resources on sensory

Physical Health & co-occurring Conditions

Autistic children/adults may also develop a few co-occurring health issues. These may be physical or mental health conditions.

Active Lives Bolton, a team that sits within Public Health dedicated to inspiring a healthier lifestyle! We are a passionate group committed to the mission of encouraging people to embrace movement and activity in their daily lives. Working with partners across the borough with a shared goal of promoting wellness, we're here to create impactful initiatives, provide resources, and foster a supportive community that motivates individuals to get moving. Through our collective efforts, we aim to make a positive change in countless lives, empowering everyone to experience the benefits of an active and vibrant life. Active Lives – Bolton Council.

Breaking Barriers – a specialist Autism Charity in Bolton that assists autistic adults with a wide range of activities to promote health and wellbeing. Breaking Barriers NW Bolton Charity Disabled Autism.

GM resources on physical health

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Some autistic adolescents may experience co-occurring mental health conditions. The information below lists support available where you live in relation to mental health and well-being support.

Bolton Council Website – Mental health and Wellbeing Support page. Health and wellbeing – Bolton Council.

Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust – Services in Bolton (majority of these services require a clinician referral). Services in Bolton | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)

Building a New Direction (BAND) Bridging the Gap Project.

BAND is a Bolton based community adult mental health project that sits within a UK wide Family Action organisation. Bridging the Gap is a new pilot scheme offer at BAND that focuses on engaging and supporting those with a neurodiverse presentation who may have occurring conditions of poor mental health and well-being. Bridging the Gap - Family Action (family-action.org.uk)

General Advice on Mental Health:

Advice on Mental health

Sleep

Sleep difficulties are very common for autistic adults. Not only can this have a massive impact on the autistic adult, but it can impact parents, carers and other family members.

GM resources on sleep

Employment

Some autistic people need support to access employment. Below are some services that may be available locally.

Young people with Autism are able to access the publicly funded Access to Work employment support program.

There is also Bolton Employability. This will provide 3 on site work placement for young people with Autism / learning difficulties that will lead to competitive employment.
Finding work for young people with learning difficulties – Bolton Council

Jobs, careers and skills advice and guidance

The Connexions Careers Service offers impartial information, advice and careers guidance for young people in Bolton between the ages of 13 – 19 (24 years with SEND and Care Leavers) to raise aspirations, overcome barriers and support into education, employment or training.  Speak to one of the Career Advisers by calling 0800 052 5559 or drop in at the Connexions Centre, The BASE, Marsden Road, Bolton, BL1 2PF - Monday to Friday 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
THE Homepage – Bolton Digital, Employment and Skills (boltondes.org.uk)

Vacancies will have entry requirements and a selection process to go through.
Anyone aged 16 or over can become an apprentice
apprenticeships are available for young people and adults
you will receive training and work towards a nationally recognised qualification.
They can take between one and four years to complete
pre-apprenticeships are available if you don’t feel you are ready for a full apprenticeship course
Apprenticeships in Bolton – Bolton Council

Bolton Council understands the importance and need of providing work experience and volunteering opportunities.  
Work experience and volunteering – Bolton Council

If you’re 16 to 24 and getting Jobseeker’s Allowance, you can get a work experience opportunity through the Jobcentre Plus.

Placements last two to eight weeks and you’ll normally be expected to work between 25 and 30 hours a week.
You may also be able to get help from Jobcentre Plus for costs related to work experience, eg for travel or childcare.

DWP - Information about universal credit, jobseekers’ allowance and other benefits, and information about finding work.
Contact Jobcentre Plus: How to contact Jobcentre Plus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Jobs, skills, advice and guidance support

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) offers intensive individually tailored support for those 18 years and over, to help people who are recovering from mental health conditions to find the right job or will help them if their job is at risk. A team of dedicated IPS specialists will help to bridge the gap between healthcare and employment, working with the employer and employee to sustain employment and see new pathways into the world of work. Certain eligibility may apply.
Pure Innovations

GM resources on employment

Rights & Entitlement

Listed below are some support services available for autistic people who need support with understanding their rights and entitlement.

Befriending & Adult Autism Support (BAAS)  – provide a custom service to autistic people when requiring support with welfare rights and entitlement. Home | BAAS | Befriending & Adult Autism Support

Bolton Council’s own Welfare Rights Service 
Welfare rights service – Bolton Council

Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton 

We aim to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. 

We provide free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.
Home - Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (cabb.org.uk)

All Age Advocacy a range of statutory and non-statutory support, guidance and representation for all ages. The service supports:-

• Childrens
• Childrens Advocacy, Child protection advocacy
• Adults
• IMHA,IMCA,ICA, NHS complaints, Relevant Person’s Representative

www.voiceability.org