Autism Support Services for Adults
At Robin Specialist Autism Services, we provide personalised autism support services for adults at home and in the community. We first understand how autism affects the individual’s communication, learning, sensory experiences, emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning, and then develop practical support around their strengths, needs and goals.
Sometimes autistic people can become isolated and feel that they are not fully integrated into everyday life or their local community.
Where a person presents with behaviours that are seemingly concerning, we use Positive Behaviour Support to understand what the behaviour may be communicating. This can include observation, Functional Behaviour Assessment, identifying triggers and developing proactive, preventative and recovery strategies that reduce distress and improve quality of life.
Our support is provided according to each person’s agreed package and may include weekdays, evenings, weekends and public holidays. Once funding has been confirmed, we normally work towards starting support within approximately four weeks, depending on the person’s needs and the preparation required for a safe transition. The person remains central to decisions about their support. We involve them, and where appropriate their family or advocate, in choosing activities, agreeing goals, identifying preferred staff characteristics and deciding how support should be delivered within the agreed care package.
Working With You
At Robin Specialist Autism Services, we believe that when a person’s differences are understood and their strengths are supported, they are less likely to present with behaviours that are seemingly concerning as a way of coping with the world. Our objective is to help each person develop greater confidence, independence, choice and quality of life in ways that are meaningful to them.
When we work with you, we never make decisions about your support without your involvement. We aim to step into your world and see it from your perspective.
We take staff matching seriously. We consider experience and training, but also personality, communication style, interests and compatibility, because a support relationship works best when trust can develop.
All of our support staff have been through a rigorous selection process and comprehensive induction and training programme to ensure that they are able to provide the right support.
Alongside our care and support services, we provide bespoke autism-informed consultation and family sessions for parents and carers, with practical guidance around communication, Positive Behaviour Support, sensory needs, emotional regulation and developing independence.
Referral Process for Our Autism Support Services for Adults
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1.
Submit an Enquiry or Referral
Complete our online referral form or contact us directly.
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2.
Initial Conversation
We usually respond within five working days. We have an informal conversation about the person’s needs, location, proposed days and hours, funding arrangements and anything you would like to ask us.
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3.
Initial Suitability Check
We consider whether the person’s needs, location and proposed support fall within our expertise and capacity.
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4.
Assessment Appointment
If appropriate, we arrange an assessment, usually within 14 days. We meet the person and, where relevant, their family and other professionals. We may also observe the person in another setting such as college or a day service where this would help us understand their support needs.
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5.
Assessment Report
We normally provide our written assessment and recommendations within seven days of meeting the person.
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6.
Funding Agreement
Support planning begins once funding and contractual arrangements have been confirmed in writing.
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7.
Preparing for Support
We complete the person’s care plans, risk assessments, autism and communication profiles and any relevant PBS, sensory, medication or health documentation. Where appropriate, staff may shadow family, college or existing support staff.
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8.
Support Begins
We normally work towards a start date of approximately four weeks after funding is confirmed, depending on complexity. Staff are carefully matched and the transition may be phased where appropriate.
We are with you all the way.
Neurodiversity matters. We value the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do your autism support services for adults include personal care?
Yes. Where personal care is an assessed need, we can support washing, showering, oral care, grooming, dressing, toileting, continence and other personal-care routines. We promote dignity, consent and independence and, where possible, use personal care as an opportunity to teach and maintain functional skills.
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How is a Positive Behaviour Support Plan developed?
We begin by understanding the person rather than simply trying to stop a behaviour. Observation, Functional Behaviour Assessment, information from the person and family and incident data may be used to understand possible functions and triggers. The resulting PBS plan sets out proactive, preventative, responsive and recovery strategies and is reviewed as the person’s needs change.
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Do I need to have funding agreed before contacting Robin?
You are welcome to make an initial enquiry before funding is agreed. However, Robin is not a funding application or brokerage service, and commissioned support cannot begin until the relevant funding has been formally agreed. If you are unsure about statutory funding, your local Adult Social Care team or social worker should be your first point of contact.
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Can you support someone who also has a learning disability or mental-health need?
Yes. Autism support services for adults are our specialist area, but we also support adults with learning disabilities, ADHD, epilepsy, mental-health conditions and other complex support needs where these fall within our competence and regulated scope. Every referral is assessed individually.
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How do I access support?
You can contact us directly or complete our referral form. Families can self-refer, as can social workers and other professionals. Where statutory funding is required, funding must be agreed before a commissioned support package can begin.