Sussex Autistic Community Trust
About us
The Trust was formed in 1989 by the Sussex Autistic Society to establish and run a new residential community. Burton Cottages, a home for 12 adults, opened in July 1992. It is operated in partnership with Downland Housing Society.
Since that time we have opened several smaller homes and outreach services, which include our day centre, in the Hastings and Rother area. We are now developing services in the West of the county, a care home in Bognor Regis, a day centre and a supported living scheme for people with Aspergers Syndrome. We also have plans to develop a nursing home for people with complex and multiple needs.
The general philosophy of the Trust is to provide a safe base for people with autistic spectrum disorders where their special needs are recognised and from which they may take full advantage of community opportunities. The Trust aims to enable residents to play as full a part in their community as appropriate to each individual. Emphasis is placed on an enabling role to foster independence and self-determination. We have been able to offer residents of Burton Cottages the opportunity to move to smaller homes in town and village communities.
The Trust is a member of the National Autistic Society Quality Audit and Accreditation Programme. This commits us to meeting the highest standards of care for people with autistic spectrum disorders and is central to demonstrating our commitment to quality assurance. The standards demanded by this programme are over and above those made by the registering authority, which is East Sussex County Council.
Whatever their level of ability or patterns of behaviour, all people with autistic spectrum disorders are socially naive and extremely vulnerable, largely oblivious to the common dangers of life. The Trust employs highly motivated and well-trained staff to provide a level of support appropriate to each individual.