Guernsey Autism charity gets States commissioning deal

Thursday, 2 April 2026 07:55

The States will part fund Autism Guernsey's support service for parents and carers of autistic children for three years.

The announcement is being made on World Autism Awareness Day.

It will see Health and Social Care Commission the services of the third sector charity for three years for a specific series of support programmes for parents and carers of youngsters up to the age of 18.

These are already happening, but now have the assurance of States funding, matched by Autism Guernsey.

They are: the Early Bird plus for the parents and carers of autistic children aged 5-9; Teen Life supporting parents and carers of autistic young people aged 10-16 and the Transition to Adulthood.

Julia Watts is the CEO of the charity and explains what is involved:

"Understanding autism, health and well being, transitioning into college or employment, dress, anxiety."

"We have been delivering the three programmes for about five years now anyway.

"But this gives us that security and sustainability to continue for another three years to deliver six programmes over the year."

On average, eight families attend each programme, with three spaces offered per family.

Dr George Oswald, the political head of the Health and Social Care Committee, says formalisation of the partnership is important.

“While we recognise that there is still more work to do to improve the lives of autistic people in the Bailiwick, this commissioning arrangement is an important step forward."

Autism Guernsey's Julia Watts says running the charity, which lost Children in Need funding nearly two years ago, is expensive:

"This agreement makes up a small, but meaningful part of the £400,000 annual cost required to support Autism Guernsey each year.

"We value our partnership with HSC and look forward to working together to strengthen the support available."