Lambeth Council has set out its new approach to supporting autistic people of all ages and their families, emphasising the importance of understanding, acceptance, and inclusion and is part of our commitment to becoming a borough of equity and justice.
The borough’s new All Age Autism strategy, covering the next three years, sets out how the council will work with its partners and the local community to provide support and services that give autistic people in our borough a chance to thrive at home, in education, at work and in society.
Word from Cabinet
Cllr Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities said:
“I’m delighted that Lambeth’s new All-Age Autism Strategy for the next three years is now live. This approach will provide a vital lifeline for our autistic residents and their families and reinforce our commitment to becoming a borough of equity and justice.
Left to right: Lambeth Together director Andrew Eyres, Cllr Jacqui Dyer (Lambeth Council Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities), Lambeth Council Public Health director Ruth Hutt launching the new strategy.
“It sets out our seven priorities to ensure we focus on the areas where support is needed most. By providing essential support services, we ensure equitable opportunities for them to thrive at home, in work or education, and in all aspects of their lives.
“Working with our partners and communities has been key to developing a strategy that truly understands and meets the needs of autistic individuals in our borough, ensuring comprehensive support every step of the way. We will continue to work with our partners and communities to make the strategy a reality.”
Working together
The approach was developed with the Lambeth Together health partnership, local community groups, businesses and autistic people and their families.
The strategy sets out seven core priorities, and they are:
Priority 1: Improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society
Priority 2: Improving autistic children and young people’s access to education and supporting positive transition into adulthood
Priority 3: Supporting more autistic individuals into employment
Priority 4: Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic individuals
Priority 5: Building the right support in the community and supporting Inpatient Care
Priority 6: Improving support with the criminal and youth justice system
Priority 7: Local initiative: Understanding, valuing, and helping parents and carers in their role and as partners
Watch our All Age Autism Strategy video
Watch our short video featuring autistic young people, educational and council staff to learn more about our new strategy, why it is so important and how by working together we can achieve the best outcomes for our autistic residents and their families.
Grant application opening
Lambeth Council invites eligible organisations to apply for grant funding of up to £15,000 to support the implementation of our new autism strategy after securing £240k funding from the South-East London Integrated Care System. Local voluntary and community sector organisations, charities, and other eligible organisations running initiatives and projects to support autistic people can apply for funding now.
Helping to shape the strategy
(Credit: Painting by an autistic young person, Immanuel for the Art for Autism initiative)
Autistic residents and their families were invited to share their views to help shape the strategy at drop-in sessions held by the council. They were also invited to take part in Art for Autism, an initiative for people of all ages to share individual experiences or insights about autism and how it impacts the lives of autistic people or those around them through video, painting, drawings, photos, or music. It was great to receive so many excellent entries.
Immanuel’s mother said:
This piece is from my son, Immanuel Adelowo. He enjoys visiting the South Bank and painted this piece to remind him of his positive experience visiting. Immanuel is aged 27 and is autistic. He was born and grew up in Lambeth. He has a passion for art and enjoys painting and sketching in his spare time. Immanuel cares deeply about equality and wants to see disabled people involved in all aspects of decision making that affects them.
Read the strategy
To find out more and read the strategy, please visit https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/all-age-autism-strategy.
Translated and printed copies of the comprehensive strategy and executive summary are available in libraries across the borough until stocks last.
To request a printed copy of the easy read version or to ask questions about the strategy, please email allageautism@lambeth.gov.uk.
