15/12/10

By Andrew Holt

Respite care and leisure services for children and adults with autism are under threat because of cuts to funding.

A new report finds that nearly 40% of autism charities are expecting to cut frontline services next year.

Many charities are also concerned that the implementation of the new autism strategy, which aims to improve services for adults, is at risk.

The report comes out as the government is due to publish its final guidance on the strategy this week.

Changing Lives, a report by charity think tank New Philanthropy Capital, reviewed the situation facing autism charities following the introduction of the Autism Act in 2009 and the national autism strategy.

"Autism charities are facing tough times, especially as many of them rely on local government contracts," says report author, Sarah Hedley.

"Funding cuts are forcing charities to rethink what services they provide and in some cases work will have to be scaled back or stopped altogether.

"Services such as leisure and respite care are often a lifeline for people with autism and their families, but are likely to be the hardest hit."

Liza Dresner, director of Resources for Autism, adds: "There is still appalling neglect of people with autism, and families are constantly struggling, often going from one crisis to another. People tell me that the sessions we run are the highlight of their week.

"Many parents have had very little support and simply can’t carry on. I think we could see more parents of children with autism having mental health breakdowns and more children going into care as a result of the loss of services."

Charities are concerned that if the guidance on the autism strategy is not strong enough, local authorities will not take the action needed to improve services for people with autism.

This, coupled with the lack of additional funds for implementation, means the strategy could move down local government’s list of priorities.

Mark Lever, chief executive of The National Autistic Society, added: "As local authorities set their budgets, they need to take account of the new legal duties coming into force under the Autism Act, and not allow people with autism to continue to fall between the gaps in services.

"Now more than ever, they and their families need support. One third of adults with autism are without a job or benefits, potentially living well below the poverty line, and families tell us that they are often left struggling to cope."

The report also raises charities’ concerns about education for children with autism.

Over a third of charities that responded to NPC’s survey believe the government’s plans for more Academies will have a negative effect on education for children with autism.

Charities claim that some children will not get the specialist support they need and will be at greater risk of exclusion.

Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of TreeHouse, outlines the risks posed by the changes: "The danger is that the budget for providing special educational needs will be squeezed or even disappear as central government shifts towards funding Academies directly and not via local authorities.

"If local authorities aren't able to prioritise SEN [special educational needs] provision, all the good work is at risk of being lost and we will see a rise in exclusions and tribunals."

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