Nick Herbert supports Autism awareness

The LVS Hassocks school in Sayers Common welcomed Nick Herbert to their end of week assembly and invited him to present certificates to the learners on Friday (17 April).

150420 NH at LVS Autism awareness.jpg

 

Mr Herbert was invited to the school as a follow up to World Autism Awareness Week held earlier this month and because of his work on the subject.

LVS Hassocks is a specialist school for children with learning difficulties and provides a supported learning environment for young learners with Asperger’s and autism.

Kira Brabanec, Head of Centre at LVS Hassocks, welcomed Mr Herbert to the school.  Two of the school’s learners, Callum and Lucy, then gave Mr Herbert a tour of the building which is currently being expanded to provide new social and learning spaces.

The school is located in secluded grounds on the site of a former convent in Sayers Common, near Hassocks.  It supports children from the ages of 8 through to 19 and equips them with the skills for independent living and employment.

The school’s regular awards recognises the progress and achievements of the learners.  The recipients were applauded enthusiastically by the whole school when they collected their certificates from Mr Herbert.

The Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Arundel and South Downs has championed improved support for the families of children with learning difficulties, and has supported many constituents’ cases.  Three years ago Mr Herbert hosted an Autism summit, and last week he met a number of local parents to hear an update of how the new support arrangements are working.  They agreed to convene another local summit this Summer.

Kira Brabanec said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Nick Herbert to LVS Hassocks on Friday and showcase the good work we are doing in developing the prospects of young learners on the autistic spectrum.

“Nick was very complimentary about the school’s progressive methods and what staff are achieving with learners, and it was good to have this recognised.  Our leaners enjoyed and benefitted from the visit with many staying after assembly to ask Nick questions.”

Nick Herbert said: “I very much enjoyed my return visit to LVS Hassocks to see how it has developed.  The children are clearly happy and are learning vital skills for their future.

“It was also useful, separately, to meet local parents to hear how the new arrangements to support children with autism are working.  The ‘Think Autism’ strategy was an important step forward, but parents are clearly still facing issues in West Sussex, and we agreed that another summit would help is to discuss these problems collectively and with the authorities.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes

1.    Photograph attached – Kira Brabanec, Head of Centre at LVS Hassocks, with Nick Herbert, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Arundel and South Downs.

2.    For more information about LVS Hassocks see http://www.lvs-hassocks.org.uk.

3.    To read Nick’s news ‘Sussex parents struggle to cope with children with autism’ see http://www.nickherbert.com/news.php/400/sussex-parents-quotstrugglequot-to-cope-with-children-with-autism.

4.    The Government published its ‘Think Autism’ strategy last year: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/think-autism-an-update-to-the-government-adult-autism-strategy and its response to revised statutory guidance last month: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/adult-autism-strategy-guidance-update.