Our Autism Inpatient Mental Health Casework Service offers advice and support to autistic people and the families of autistic people in England who have been detained in a mental health hospital or assessment and treatment unit (ATU), or are at imminent risk of detention or re-detention.

Please be aware that our Autism Inpatient Mental Health Casework Service is not a crisis or clinical service. If you need urgent help, please visit our urgent help page.
 

The service can:

• explain the rights and entitlements of autistic people who have been detained in a mental health hospital or assessment and treatment unit (ATU)
• offer information, advice and support by phone or email to help prevent or challenge detention
• help autistic people and families understand what care and support could be available to them in the community
• help autistic people and their families explore their options and make informed decisions about their rights and entitlements
• provide guidance and support on specific issues such as accessing advocacy, making a complaint or appealing against a decision
• work closely with and signpost to relevant advice and support within the National Autistic Society and from other organisations.

The service is not able to:

• provide urgent or immediate support - if you need urgent help, please visit our urgent help page
• provide face-to-face support or attend meetings, but we can help you prepare for them 
• suggest appropriate provision or professionals but our Autism Services Directory may help
• offer legal support but we can signpost to relevant organisations
• provide support in Nothern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. At the moment, we only have funding to run this service in England but we will be seeking funding for this service in other nations of the UK as we believe other governments and trust funders will see it as really needed.

How to contact the service

Does your enquiry relate to safeguarding and/or is urgent help needed?

If yes, please visit our urgent help page.

If no, please fill out our online enquiry form.