Residential and Supported Living Services

Autism Initiatives UK residential and supported living services began in England in 1984 with the opening of Petersfield, a large Victorian residential establishment that was home at times to up to twenty people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Since the advent of the Community Care Act (1990) the organisation developed a network of community group homes throughout the Liverpool and Sefton areas and more recently in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Continuing to practice its mission to meet the needs of people with ASD, the organisation has continued to develop its network of housing.

The organisation believes in the need for a flexible approach to service design and provision. The service now manages/supports over forty houses where people with autism live.

Autism Initiatives UK enjoys excellent partnerships with a number of housing providers who provide tenancy agreements to the people we support.

Services are a combination of houses that are registered as residential care homes and supported living services where the service user is the tenant of their own property and Autism Initiatives UK is contracted to provide the care and support service. People may live by themselves with support or share a house with people with similar interests.

Through our person-centred planning system W.I.N. (What I Need), we plan support to ensure that all aspects relating to a person’s needs, in relation to their ASD, are understood and met. Support plans are formulated to ensure staff work in a person-centred and consistent way.

The Practice Support Team, who oversee transitions, communication systems, support planning and develop practice and understanding, support staff in their practice.

For further information on Residential and Supported Living Services click here to contact the National Director for Services in England (North/South), Northern Ireland or Scotland.