CYP with autism - SpeakEasy

Young People with LD and/or Autism

Hospital Avoidance for Young People

This project is for children and young people up to the age of 25 with a learning disability and/or autism who are at risk of hospital admission, or need support with hospital discharge due to their mental health. The funding is for children and young people living in Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth or IOW.

What will we do?

The project will support the children and young people by giving them a voice in the CETR, treatment and recovery planning processes, including discharge planning. We will be helping young people and their families to navigate systems, removing barriers and reducing health inequalities so they have access to options and services in education, health and social care and community settings. We will ensure their rights are upheld by referring them to statutory advocacy and other services. We will also connect them to opportunities in local communities.

Who can make referrals?

This project is funded by the NHS Integrated Care Board specifically for children and young people with a learning disability or autism who are on the Dynamic Support Register due to concerns for their mental health. Referrals can be made by the Learning Disability & Autism Keyworker team or other health professionals as part of the DSR or CETR. However we can take referrals directly from young people and their families as well as other professionals. We can also consider referrals for children and young people who are not on the DSR but have concerns about accessing services for their mental health.

What People Think of us...

“Being part of the self advocacy groups has really helped me settle into Basingstoke after moving here a year ago.”

Person with a learning disability

“Thanks for confirming [the referral]. To reiterate what I said in my last email, the service provided so far from Speakeasy has been very helpful and much appreciated.”

Local Authority DOLS office

The weight loss charts the advocate did with me have helped me eat the right foods. It’s made a real difference to my life I have never felt so happy. It’s stopped me going back to the dark place (self harm).”

Person with a learning disability

“Thanks for your quick response. I rang the family to say I had made the referral and they said the advocate was seeing them the next day!”

HCC social work team manager

“I have heard such great things about your Advocacy Safety Net Project from the Social Prescribers, it will be such a shame if it can’t continue”

Primary Care Network Wellbeing Team

“Without you I am not sure where I could have gone, or what would have happened”

Family Carer Of Person With Autism And Mental Health Issues

‘Thank you for all your support with K as I haven’t a clue where to start with finding employment opportunities and helping them become more independent, I am struggling with day to day issues that K presents’.

Family carer of person with a learning disability

“Thank you so much for persevering with us, we really appreciate you checking in with us over a period of time. So many other services are quick to ‘close your case’ and you have to chase them up”

Family carer of person with learning disability

“Thank you very much for all your time, effort and support; it has meant a lot and helped me immensely.”

Person with autism needing support to get help from Citizen’s Advice and the DWP to challenge their PIP decision

Many thanks for all your help and support with all our patients that we have referred to you and I hope that Speakeasy are able to get hold of some more funds as your services are amazing.’

Social Prescriber from GP surgery

“I am impressed with how much you have achieved for people living in the Hart & Rushmoor area, I’m surprised what you have done with a small team! Amazing work unpicking the issues that others didn’t understand or have time to explore”

HCC service development officer

Get Involved

Find Out More