Options For Supported Living

While research suggests that for every five males diagnosed with autism, there is only one female – autism in women and girls is actually more prevalent than previously thought.
For the final day of #AutismAwarenessWeek, we want to discuss the issue of how autism for women and girls is still very much misdiagnosed, missed or misunderstood.
As past research heavily focused on males, diagnostic criteria were based on traits usually expressed by men and boys. But it has recently... been proposed that there are gender differences in how autism is presented, with autistic females demonstrating less traditional or obvious traits. As a result, many autistic women and girls go without the support they need.
But it is important to remember that autism is not a male-specific condition! It can affect anyone and any gender. There now needs to be more focus on understanding autism for all genders.
The National Autistic Society launched a module focused on furthering awareness of autism for females. Check it out here www.autism.org.uk/…/training-co…/onli ne/women-and-girls.aspx
#autism #autismawareness #AAWeek19
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Continuing #AutismAwarenessWeek, we want to discuss the growing research into rates of gender dysphoria amongst autistic people - and why it's crucial to be aware of this.
Gender dysphoria is defined as "a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there's a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity."
Studies suggest that there is a higher population of people with autism experiencing gender dysphoria than people in the general populat...ion.
This further supports Care Quality Commission's guidance focused on relationships and sexuality for social care providers, aimed at ensuring that people they support can fully express themselves and have their needs met.
There is importance then that people with autism have opportunities to access education and information - including around identity, and that staff do too.
We've connected with 2buwakefield, an LGBTQIA+ social group for people with disabilities, which saw some people we support who identify as trans meeting up with people from the community who also have disabilities. We believe opportunities like this are necessary in ensuring people we support are living their lives to the fullest.
If any of our staff would like to find out more about gender dysphoria and supporting individuals experiencing such, please contact our Health Lead Christine at christine.bithell@ofsl.org.uk and to read up more about gender check out the Genderbread Person here www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/genderbr ead-person/#gp1
#autism #autismawareness #AAWeek19
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The second of our amazing summer volunteering opportunities in our Finance department is the chance to become our Volunteer Finance Project Assistant.
So if you're looking to gain some experience working within a finance team, then this could be for you!
This role involves:... - Carrying out research to support a finance-based project - Designing data collection methods - Analysing data and producing reports - Supporting operational teams - Training included - Travel expenses paid
The opportunity will take place between June and September 2019, based in our office in Liverpool City Centre. The deadline for applications is Friday 3rd May - so if you're interested, get in touch with our HR department at volunteering@ofsl.org.uk or call 0151 236 0855.
In case you didn't know, we also have an opportunity to volunteer as Volunteer Finance Assistant currently available too - check out our latest posts to find out more.
#volunteering #finance #financevolunteer #liverpool
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There's not one but TWO exciting opportunities to volunteer this summer in our Finance department.
So if you're looking to gain some experience within the field of finance then this could be for you!
The first is a three month placement as a Volunteer Finance Assistant. This role involves:... - Managing petty cash and credit card transaction and reconciliations - Maintaining accounts database - Carrying out routine checks on income and expenditure - Providing admin support for our Finance Team - Training included - Travel expenses paid
The opportunity will take place between June and September 2019, based in our office in Liverpool City Centre. The deadline for applications is Friday 3rd May - so if you're interested, don't delay! Contact our HR department at volunteering@ofsl.org.uk or call 0151 236 0855.
Stay tuned to find out more about our other fabulous finance volunteering role.
#volunteering #finance #financevolunteer #liverpool
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At Options, we fully believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live fulfilled and meaningful lives. This includes opportunities to form meaningful and loving personal relationships.
As part of #AutismAwarenessWeek, we want to highlight how while autism may affect the way a person interacts with others or how they process more abstract relationships, it doesn't mean autistic people don't have the same desire for intimacy and friendships as others.
It's important to... remember that just like for everyone, relationships can be tricky to understand and it's about patience.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have released guidance for social care providers focused on supporting individuals with relationships and sexuality, to ensure that the person being supported can fully express themselves and have their needs met. The CQC stress the importance of providers ensuring people they support have access to education and information to help them develop and maintain relationships.
Our Health Lead Christine recently ran a Sex and Relationships course alongside Wirral Mencap for people with learning disabilities in our local community to learn more about aspects of relationships such as consent, dating, sexuality and sexual activity. Get in touch with Christine at christine.bithell@ofsl.org.uk to find out about future courses!
#autism #autismawareness #AAWeek19
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Options is excited to be involved with Project Art Works at Tate Exchange once again! We highly recommend that you head down on Saturday to get involved with their free workshop 🎨

Today marks the first day of #AutismAwarenessWeek! As a social care provider that supports people with learning disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury, we fully support the importance of this week.
But just what is autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects the way a person interacts and relates with others. It can also affect how a person experiences the world around them.
... Autism is described as a spectrum condition, meaning while autistic people share certain characteristics, they are individual in their preferences and needs. This is why we're dedicated to providing person-centred support.
We encourage you to find out more about autism so you can ensure you're making your community inclusive for everyone in it!
We advise you check out the National Autistic Society's website here www.autism.org.uk or give our Health Lead Christine a call on 0151 236 0855.
#autism #autismawareness #AAWeek19
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Tonight's the night! Join us and Wirral Mencap at Our Lady's Parish Centre from 7pm for Flamingo Bingo!
To take part it's only £5! What a bargain when there's plenty of prizes, fun and silliness on offer.
Hope to see you there - come wearing something pink.

At Options we believe everyone should have the opportunity to participate as valued members of our own communities. That's why as part of our dedication to Charity and Community Work, we're doing an Easter egg collection for local foodbanks and we'd love for you to get involved!
Simply bring in your donation to our lovely reception team in our office (First Floor, St Nicholas House, L2 8TX - 5 mins from the Liver Building) by Friday 12th April 🐰
#easter #easteregg #charity #liverpool #wirral #donation

Come join us and our pals at Wirral Mencap this time next week for Flamingo Bingo!
There'll be plenty of fun and prizes to be won as we play bingo.. with a twist! So pop down to Our Lady's Parish Centre for 7pm on Saturday 30th March!
And it's only £5! Come wearing something pink 🎉

Dun dun dun! Our friends at Wirral Mencap are running a fun Murder Mystery Charity Night in April and it sounds like a killer night!
Check out their post below for information about where you can get tickets.

How fab! Paul had a great time today playing the ukulele and train whistle to Folsom Prison Blues, jamming with local sing-a-long uke group #YinYanBand 🎶

Well done to everyone who took part in our Dating and Relationships course that we ran with Wirral Mencap 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓
And what excellent work from our Health Lead Christine in delivering this alongside Wirral Mencap's wonderful Lizzie!

It was fabulous to be a part of this!
We really loved working with Wirral Mencap to deliver our Dating and Relationships course and we look forward to teaming up with them in the future to support people to have meaningful relationships.

There’s an exciting opportunity to join our team as HR Advisor! You’ll play a key role in supporting staff to perform to their best potential and ensuring we remain compliant with current employment law. To find out more, check out our website here www.optionsforsupportedliving.org/join-us /current-vacancies

We're working alongside our friends at Wirral Mencap to run a Dating and Relationships course for people with learning disabilities and autism - and we're super pleased with how well it's going!
Speaking of love and friendships... they're holding a free Valentine's Ball for people with learning disabilities on Thursday 7th February, from 7pm, at the Lauries.
To find out more and to get your tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/valentine- ball-hosted-by-wir…
... You can also get tickets from the Wirral Mencap office by calling 0151 666 1829 or coming in! ❤️💜
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We had an incredible time at Greenbank Sports Academy yesterday for our Active Afternoon!
We tried out loads of fun and new sports - including an exciting game of wheelchair basketball! In the end, the score was 1-2 to the “non-bibs”, but everyone played really well, putting their new skills into practice and enjoyed taking part.
Our very own Joel and support worker Rob later taught everyone how to play boccia, some of us then gave rebound therapy a go before we took a tour ...of the accessible gym equipment, which Ricky had a great time testing out!
Watch this space for more events including accessible sports coming up at Options!
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What fabulous news! We're proud to announce that we have raised £60 for The Candice Colley Foundation, a charity which works to raise money for local Leukaemia patients and make life a little easier for the families of those suffering from Leukaemia or going through Bone Marrow Transplants 🌺
We're really passionate about getting involved in our community and local causes so if you have any ideas for us to support, please get in touch by calling us on 0151 236 0855!

When its my Review for Options I Always worked well because I am best worker

The staff who support my brother are fab. He does things like canoeing and abseiling we never thought he could. Thank you

Options are amazing the staff we have are great as they support me to live independently and I have a great staff team around me. They are so much fun

I loved working at Options, lovely team of people and the people supported are most definitely at the heart of everything they do ✅

Hi my name is Anita I am currently doing a drumming workshop as part of the open mic night which I am really enjoying I hope we will be able to get funding for another one it is a lot of fun

Hi everyone how much is to have a support worker thanks xoxoxo

Hi anyone on who can tell me the time for mapa training tomorrow pls thanks

Great place to work, great people and doing a great job. Nowhere is perfect but there are a lot worse places out there.