Shaping Better Autism Support Across South East London
Improving support for autistic people is an essential priority for our communities, and the Help Us Improve Services for Autistic People in South East London initiative reflects a meaningful step forward. Since 2015, NHS South East London has been gathering the experiences of autistic adults and carers to better understand gaps in existing services and identify what high‑quality, accessible support should look like. These insights have directly informed the design of a new multidisciplinary Community Autism Service, due to launch in spring 2026.
The service—delivered by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Oxleas NHS Trust—will offer tailored physical and psychological support for autistic adults whose needs are not being met by current provision. It will provide timely specialist assessments, everyday living support, and guidance to help people maintain independence within their communities. This development comes alongside wider mapping work by the Learning Disability and Autism Programme, which identified key service gaps and helped shape priorities for further improvements across the region.
Community involvement has been central to this programme. Multiple avenues were created for autistic people and carers to share their stories, including questionnaires and focus groups—ensuring voices that are often under‑represented are included in shaping future services. The growing opportunities for involvement, also promoted by South East London ICS, empower residents to influence how health and care systems evolve.
For Healthwatch Greenwich, this approach strongly aligns with our mission: improving care begins with listening. The new autism service represents a vital step toward more inclusive, person‑centred support—and ongoing community feedback will ensure it continues to grow in the right direction.
We encourage Greenwich residents with lived experience of autism to take part in the surveys and engagement opportunities. Your insights are essential to building services that truly meet local needs.
If you have any questions about this project please contact the team at neuro.diversity@selondonics.nhs.uk
