Islington Council has approved a new strategy aimed at improving the lives of autistic residents across all age groups, with a clear timeline and measurable actions for success.
The All-Age Autism Strategy, developed in collaboration with autistic individuals, families, and professionals, was given the green light by the council's Executive committee on Thursday, 22 October 2026. The strategy, which covers the period from 2026 to 2032, will be reviewed every two years, with an action plan to be updated annually from December 2027.
The strategy sets out a vision to make Islington a place where autistic people and their families feel included, understood, and supported throughout their lives. It identifies six key priorities, each with specific, measurable actions:
Improving understanding of autism: This includes mandatory autism training for staff, making public spaces more accessible and welcoming, and using respectful language. Success will be measured by the number of staff completing training and evidence of inclusive design projects.
Supporting autistic children and young people in school: This involves investment in school facilities, including sensory-friendly spaces, and strengthening workforce development for smoother transitions into adulthood. Progress will be tracked through school training completion, attendance/exclusion data for pupils with autism, and the quality of transition planning.
Helping autistic people find jobs: The strategy will develop an inclusive toolkit for employers, promote reasonable adjustments within the council, and strengthen accessible pathways into work, including volunteering and self-employment. Success will be measured by the number of autistic people supported into paid employment, enrolled on job-linked courses, and on supported internships.
Ensuring health and care services are equitable: This priority focuses on working with autistic people and families to shape social care services, promoting reasonable adjustments, and improving how autism is recorded. It also aims to support timely, fair, and tailored mental health support. Success will be measured by the number of autistic people assessed for care and support, and the number identified on health and social care systems.
Improving community support: This involves ensuring commissioned community services meet autistic people's needs, making sport and physical activity more accessible, and promoting neuro-affirmative support. Success will be measured by the number of autistic people accessing community support services and those identified using Adult Social Care funded services.
Enhancing support within the justice system: This includes identifying autistic individuals earlier, improving information and support, and training staff to understand autism and make reasonable adjustments. Success will be measured by the number of autistic individuals identified in the justice system, the provision of reasonable adjustments, and lived experience feedback.
Councillor Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, presented the strategy, highlighting that 26.9% of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in Islington schools have autism as their primary need – the highest proportion of all local authorities in England. She added that national evidence suggests autistic children are more likely to have poor school experiences, shorter life expectancies, and struggle to find and maintain employment. The strategy aims to address these disparities through early intervention and prevention.
Councillor Ruth Hayes, Executive Member for Health and Social Care and Deputy Leader of the Council, commended the strategy, emphasising its all-age approach and the importance of supporting transitions from childhood to adulthood, particularly between children's and adult services. 
The strategy was developed with Experts by Experience
– individuals with lived experience of autism – who will continue to be central to its implementation, review, and updating. The council will use newly developed toolkits, such as an 'Inclusive Engagement Toolkit' and a co-production toolkit, to ensure their experiences continue to shape future priorities and actions, making engagement easier to join, especially for those not always heard.
The strategy is designed to be delivered within existing approved budgets, utilising current council resources, funding, and grants, with a cost-neutral approach. Any future activity requiring additional funding would be subject to the Council's normal financial governance processes.
The key milestones for the strategy's implementation include the Executive Member Report Briefing on 6 October 2026, the Executive Decision on 22 October 2026, and the Strategy Launch in November 2026, coinciding with Disability History Month. Benchmark data will be gathered by December 2026, with the action plan fully populated by the same date. Progress will be reviewed and the action plan updated annually from December 2027. The full details of the decisions can be found in the Decisions 22nd Oct 2026 Executive report.
