Summer Scheme

Autism Bedfordshire Summer Activity Schemes

IMPORTANT UPDATE! We are changing the way you book and the way we allocate days.

DUE TO LIMITED SPACES BOOKINGS WILL BE CONSIDERED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS AND EACH LOCAL AUTHORITY (CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE, LUTON, BEDFORD BOROUGH) WILL HAVE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF SPACES, WHICH WILL BE SPREAD ACROSS OUR LUTON AND BEDFORD SCHEMES.

DATES WILL BE OFFERED ON 20/03/2023

We are pleased that we have been able to ensure scheme will remain at £25.00 per day.

 What are the Summer Activity Schemes?

• Respite clubs based in Bedford and Luton
• For different age groups from 3 to 17 years old who live in Bedfordshire
• A wide range of onsite activities and community-based experiences for autistic children and young people
• Each scheme is specifically designed to cater for the different needs, interests, ages and abilities of those that attend.

What summer activity schemes do you offer in 2023?

• ACTIVITY SCHEME: For autistic children aged 3-9 years old. We provide 1:1 and occasionally 2:1 where necessary, supporting up to 20 children each day.
• HOLIDAY CLUBS: For autistic young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties between 10-17 years old. We provide 1:1 and 2:1 where necessary, supporting up to 18 young people each day.
• SUMMER FUN: For autistic young people with lower support needs (accessing mainstream education) between 10-17 years old.  Ratio of support is approximately 1:4. We provide support for up to 10 young people each day.

All of our activity schemes provide a wide range of appropriate and engaging social, play and sporting activities including sand and water play, art and crafts, bouncy castles, swimming and visits to popular outdoor activity venues.

If you have any questions or are unsure which group would be most suitable for your child, then please contact a member of the Children’s Services Team in the office on (01234) 214871. 

How to apply (If you need help completing the form, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help: 01234 214871)

• Complete date request form:

 PDF format

Word format 

• You can apply for one full week (5 days) of scheme and we will offer as many days as we can. Please see the Date Request Form for details of dates and activity schedules. Be aware that these forms are to request dates only.
• Send your completed form to summerscheme@autismbeds.org – this can be a scanned copy or a clear photograph.
• Last date for submitting a date request forms is 4pm on Monday 13^th March 2023. After this deadline we will be allocating days on a first come first served basis. Forms received after spaces are full will be added to a waiting list. We have been oversubscribed for the past 4 years, and so we may not be able to allocate all days you have asked for.

 After your dates have been offered on 20/03/2023

• An invoice for the balance to pay will be sent to you. This can be paid via bank transfer, over the phone of by cheque. We are also able to accept direct payments, however please contact us to confirm details. This invoice may also include a membership fee of £20.00 for those who are not already members.
• Information about the registration form you will need to complete for your child/ren so we can best support them on scheme (including medical info, communication needs and likes/ dislikes

We have changed how and when we take deposits

1. No Summer Scheme Deposit Payments are required when requesting dates now
2. An invoice will be sent to you on the 20^th March
3. When making payments over the phone, please select OPTION 1 for Children’s Services and our team will be happy to help!

Please note: your child/ren’s summer scheme days cannot be fully confirmed until payment and a completed registration form has been received.

Read last year’s Summer Scheme Report here.

Both Luton and Bedford Junior Activity Schemes have been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted (Luton 2017 & Bedford 2019). 

In 2019 a full inspection took place at the Bedford Junior Activity Scheme based at Wootton Lower School and the scheme was graded as Outstanding. Read the full report here.

In 2017 the Luton Junior Activity Scheme, based at Richmond Hill School, was also graded as Outstanding by Ofsted. Read the full report here.