Autism support for families: information for professionals

Autism Central is a free NHS-funded national service providing autism support for parents, families and wider support networks of all autistic people.

If you work in health, charity, social care or education and support families and support networks of autistic people, we need your help to raise awareness of Autism Central.

By signposting to this free service, you can help more people access the autism support they need.

What is Autism Central?

Autism Central is the national peer education programme offering autism support for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages in England. The programme is delivered by Anna Freud and commissioned by the NHS.

We offer families education, coaching and connection through resources, one-to-one peer support, and group learning events.

Everything we do is fully co-produced and co-delivered with autistic people to ensure support is shaped by lived experience.

Family feedback

“The session was so reassuring. To learn about lived experience and ways that others create consistency in their families.”

“I felt heard and respected and I came away with ideas to help my son, and the feeling that I am not alone in my journey. ”

Who can access Autism Central

Our autism support programme, which includes peer education and coaching sessions, is primarily intended for families and support networks of autistic children, young people and adults.

This includes autistic and non-autistic family members of all ages, supporting the wider network around an autistic person including, but is not limited to, parents, carers, grandparents, partners, siblings, children, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

What our autism support for families includes

Autism Central has now supported more than 30,000 families with online resources, support and learning. This year we will deliver 1,000 group learning sessions and over 7,000 one-to-one coaching sessions.

Our autism support for helps parents, families and support networks:

build knowledge and confidence
understand autistic experiences of joy, distress, and wellbeing across the lifespan
advocate effectively for their loved ones
support wellbeing and reduce the risk of hospitalisation.

Signpost to our autism parent, family and support network services

We provide a welcoming, accessible learning environment where families can learn together, share lived experience and build confidence side by side.

Group learning

Sign-post families you are working with to join an an online event including drop-ins, education family guide sessions and reflective sessions. All sessions are free NHS England commissioned sessions delivered by Anna Freud.

See all events

One-to-one coaching

Signpost families you are working with to free, confidential and personalised peer coaching from trained peer guides with lived or family experience. One-to-ones offer practical guidance and signposting.

Book one-to-ones

Resources

Access and share resources including blogs, videos and podcasts to support families in learning more about autism and navigating support.

See all resources

Comms pack

Raising awareness of Autism Central

We've created ready-to-use communication pack to make it easy for you and your organisation to promote Autism Central. The pack includes copy you can adapt for your channels, plus graphics, posters and presentations to help spread the word.

Access the pack

Learn more about the programme

Can health and care staff use Autism Central professionally?

Autism Central is designed for families and carers. It is not a resource designed for health and care staff working in CQC-regulated services.

The Health and Care Act 2022 require CQC-registered providers to ensure their staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role and so other training such as the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has been develop for this purpose and is the preferred training for health and social care staff.

Oliver’s Training is a vital and important first step in a journey to change health and care culture towards learning disability and autism. It provides a standardised package, so we know that everyone has a shared understanding of the essentials concerning learning disability and autism.

Staff in roles that require more than the essential skills and knowledge will need additional training to enable them to perform their roles.

Can professionals access Autism Central in a personal capacity?

The programme’s education and coaching session is primarily intended for families and carers of autistic children, young people, and adults. However, professionals working with autistic people in health and social care may also attend events in a personal capacity, for example, as a parent or carer of an autistic person.

Our resources may also be helpful for autistic people who are not parents, carers, or personal assistants, but who wish to advocate for themselves.

If you are a health or social care professional accessing Autism Central as part of your professional role, please read the FAQ "Can health and care staff use Autism Central professionally?"

Is Autism Central open to Personal Assistants (PAs)?

Personal Assistants (PAs/paid carers) of autistic people in England can access group sessions and free resources offered through Autism Central to increase their knowledge and understanding of autism. Watch out for short courses and webinars dedicated to experience-driven and evidence-based inclusive practice.

See all FAQs

Resources for professionals

Autism Central is a peer education programme for parents families and support networks of autistic people. Some of the resources on our website may also be of interest to professionals who are working with autistic people and their families.