All Age Autism Strategy

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The council is working together with residents and organisations to create an all-age Autism Strategy which will focus on improving the lives of Autistic people and their families in Islington.

Our priorities

  1. Helping people understand autism
  2. Helping autistic children and young people at school
  3. Helping autistic people find jobs
  4. Making health and care services equal for autistic people
  5. Making sure autistic people get help in their communities
  6. Help for autistic people in the justice system

What have we done so far?

We held our first workshop on 25 April 2025, and talked about what is important to autistic people and their families. We also talked about what works well and what we need to do better. The six priorities (above) were agreed at the workshop with autistic people and their families.

From September to December 2025 we heard from over 190 people

  • 23 autistic people and family carers and 81 professionals attended working groups to help write the strategy.
  • Council Officers attended meetings with 52 professionals to explain that we are writing the strategy.
  • Students from The Courtyard School helped make a survey, which we will be sending out soon.
  • 7 people shared their stories online.
  • 18 people joined Focus Groups at the Autism Hub and Islington Mind

A summary of what the working groups talked about

1. Helping People to Understand Autism

Parents and council officers met on 24 September and 22 October. The group agreed that understanding autism is very important for all priorities so we will include this as a theme throughout the strategy. The group also talked about better access to education and jobs and thought about what we should include in the strategy to help make this happen.

2. Helping Autistic Children and Young People at School

Parents and council officers met on 7 October and 17 November. The group thought about what support people need. For example:

  • Helping autistic children manage changes (like moving schools)
  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Making sure children can go to school and stay there.
  • Children having a full timetable
  • Helping parents feel confident that their child’s needs are met

3. Helping autistic people find jobs

Autistic people, parents, and employers joined a meeting on 28 October. The group talked about what works well and what ‘good’ looks like. The group are thinking about what to include in the strategy, for example a flag on the Islington job portal for autism-friendly employers, looking at national job charters and sharing best practice.

4. Making health and care services equal for autistic people and 5. Making sure autistic people get help in their communities

Autistic people, parents and Council officers met on 30 September and 21 October. The working groups for these two priorities were held together as it can be helpful to think about health and care services and help in the community together, rather than separately.

The group talked about what support is currently on offer and any gaps. People shared case studies of how their services support autistic people. The group thought about how we can work more closely together and make services more autistic friendly to improve support.

6. Help for autistic people in the justice system.

Council Officers have been meeting with the Police, Probation, people who work in the Courts, autistic young people and their families to think about how to improve support for autistic people who come into contact with the justice system.

How can I get involved?

The council is working together with residents and organisations to create an all-age Autism Strategy which will focus on improving the lives of Autistic people and their families in Islington.

Our priorities

  1. Helping people understand autism
  2. Helping autistic children and young people at school
  3. Helping autistic people find jobs
  4. Making health and care services equal for autistic people
  5. Making sure autistic people get help in their communities
  6. Help for autistic people in the justice system

What have we done so far?

We held our first workshop on 25 April 2025, and talked about what is important to autistic people and their families. We also talked about what works well and what we need to do better. The six priorities (above) were agreed at the workshop with autistic people and their families.

From September to December 2025 we heard from over 190 people

  • 23 autistic people and family carers and 81 professionals attended working groups to help write the strategy.
  • Council Officers attended meetings with 52 professionals to explain that we are writing the strategy.
  • Students from The Courtyard School helped make a survey, which we will be sending out soon.
  • 7 people shared their stories online.
  • 18 people joined Focus Groups at the Autism Hub and Islington Mind

A summary of what the working groups talked about

1. Helping People to Understand Autism

Parents and council officers met on 24 September and 22 October. The group agreed that understanding autism is very important for all priorities so we will include this as a theme throughout the strategy. The group also talked about better access to education and jobs and thought about what we should include in the strategy to help make this happen.

2. Helping Autistic Children and Young People at School

Parents and council officers met on 7 October and 17 November. The group thought about what support people need. For example:

  • Helping autistic children manage changes (like moving schools)
  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Making sure children can go to school and stay there.
  • Children having a full timetable
  • Helping parents feel confident that their child’s needs are met

3. Helping autistic people find jobs

Autistic people, parents, and employers joined a meeting on 28 October. The group talked about what works well and what ‘good’ looks like. The group are thinking about what to include in the strategy, for example a flag on the Islington job portal for autism-friendly employers, looking at national job charters and sharing best practice.

4. Making health and care services equal for autistic people and 5. Making sure autistic people get help in their communities

Autistic people, parents and Council officers met on 30 September and 21 October. The working groups for these two priorities were held together as it can be helpful to think about health and care services and help in the community together, rather than separately.

The group talked about what support is currently on offer and any gaps. People shared case studies of how their services support autistic people. The group thought about how we can work more closely together and make services more autistic friendly to improve support.

6. Help for autistic people in the justice system.

Council Officers have been meeting with the Police, Probation, people who work in the Courts, autistic young people and their families to think about how to improve support for autistic people who come into contact with the justice system.

How can I get involved?

All Age Autism Strategy

Please share with us any ideas or thoughts that you might have on the following priorities below

Our priorities

  1. Helping people understand autism
  2. Helping autistic children and young people at school 
  3. Helping autistic people find jobs
  4. Making health and care services equal for autistic people
  5. Making sure autistic people get help in their communities
  6. Help for autistic people in the justice system

The council has a safeguarding duty. Please note that comments that include any personal information, content that may cause distress and/or any offensive language will not be posted. 


Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.


For any other queries, suggestions or anything else - please contact mhcommissioning@islington.gov.uk

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  • Share More support following a diagnosis on Facebook Share More support following a diagnosis on Twitter Share More support following a diagnosis on Linkedin Email More support following a diagnosis link

    More support following a diagnosis

    by Itbeash, 6 months ago
    Many families wait for years for a diagnosis - there needs to be more money and time invested into CAMHs so that children can recieve a diagnosis quicker.


    following a diagnosis many families often are left with not much more support - usually a leaflet with some general guidance. There should be more support following diagnosis for those that need it - looking at keyworkers within the council to support the family and young person. More groups for children to attend that are SEN friendly and not only run during school / working hours. Support for siblings who often feel... Continue reading

  • Share Better mainstream education support on Facebook Share Better mainstream education support on Twitter Share Better mainstream education support on Linkedin Email Better mainstream education support link

    Better mainstream education support

    by Asom , 6 months ago

    More specialist support in mainstream nursery’s, primary and secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges.


    With more and more children either receiving or awaiting a diagnosis and unable to cope with demands of mainstream education but not having sufficient specialist school placements there needs to be a greater emphasis to ensure mainstream provision can meet and accommodate the needs of all learners. All staff should have specialist training and as many schools as possible should have sensory spaces to provide emotional regulation for the many children who need it.

  • Share Changes are desperately needed in all areas on Facebook Share Changes are desperately needed in all areas on Twitter Share Changes are desperately needed in all areas on Linkedin Email Changes are desperately needed in all areas link

    Changes are desperately needed in all areas

    by Elizabeth O’callaghan , 6 months ago
    Firstly, I’ll keep this as short as possible, as there is so much to say


    As we’re all aware, some autistic children and adults suffer with communication difficulties therefore, raises great concern on how we learn to manage this effectively to meet needs


    Better support in GP services and hospitals is a must this needs to change as autistic children and adults. Miss very important appointments due to lack of understanding how autism affects adults and children in many different ways When attending appointments And how they can communicate their needs and wants to make a child and adult feel... Continue reading

  • Share short break provision on Facebook Share short break provision on Twitter Share short break provision on Linkedin Email short break provision link

    short break provision

    6 months ago

    There is very limited provision in Islington for children with severe autism and learning disabilities who require high level of care and support. Short break provision is extremely oversubscribed due to high demand and limited providers. Centres are overcrowded. Parents who desperately need respite during the school holidays struggle to get booking for their child. The limited providers also limit their available spaces due to lack of staff and there are often cancellations due to lack of staff. There must be more providers and more choice for parents as children with autism and learning disabilities cannot access mainstream holiday schemes.

  • Share Assessments on Facebook Share Assessments on Twitter Share Assessments on Linkedin Email Assessments link

    Assessments

    6 months ago

    Offer quick assessment for children and give them all the resources and special support they need in school.

  • Share Suggestions on Facebook Share Suggestions on Twitter Share Suggestions on Linkedin Email Suggestions link

    Suggestions

    6 months ago

    1. Helping People Understand Autism

    Provide community-wide training in autism awareness, including businesses, local services, public transport staff, and customer service teams.


    Offer lived-experience panels and talks where autistic individuals and their families can share their stories.


    Run public campaigns that challenge myths and promote neurodiversity in a positive, respectful way.


    Create easy-read, visual materials that explain autism clearly to children, non-native English speakers, and the general public.


    2. Helping Autistic Children and Young People at School

    Mandatory autism training for all school staff, not just SENCOs.


    Sensory-friendly spaces in every school where children can regulate and feel safe.


    Implement... Continue reading

  • Share Sunflower laynyard scheme on Facebook Share Sunflower laynyard scheme on Twitter Share Sunflower laynyard scheme on Linkedin Email Sunflower laynyard scheme link

    Sunflower laynyard scheme

    6 months ago

    Asking local businesses to support the sunflower lanyard scheme, put up posters to confirm their awareness as an autism friendly establishment.

    Making Autism awareness a part of all school calendars, curriculums etc.

  • Share Transport on Facebook Share Transport on Twitter Share Transport on Linkedin Email Transport link

    Transport

    6 months ago

    Transport policy should reflect autistic sensory needs eg my young adult daughter is terrified to cycle or take the tube, but will use a bus. Bus travel is often overlooked re LTNs and cycle lanes.

    There is also an assumption that a blue badge solves the needs of disabled people. It doesn’t! Autistic sensory needs as debilitating but nothing to do with physical mobility.

  • Share ASD parents on Facebook Share ASD parents on Twitter Share ASD parents on Linkedin Email ASD parents link

    ASD parents

    6 months ago

    Those all sound great. It would be lovely if there were youth groups for neurodivergent tweens/teens, similar to the sensory stay and play that St George's church in tufnell park runs twice a month. I would personally also welcome more staff working on EHCP pupils' secondary school placement, at Islington council, as they seem to have a very heavy workload which isn't in anyone's best interest.

  • Share Guidance on Facebook Share Guidance on Twitter Share Guidance on Linkedin Email Guidance link

    Guidance

    6 months ago

    There should be more guidance and clarity for managers about how to best support autistic members of staff, so that we can support them to deliver their best work.

Page last updated: 17 Dec 2025, 01:01 PM