The Anna Freud Centre and AT-Autism have joined forces to develop a ground-breaking autism train the trainer programme for Health Education England.
This national programme will be delivered to 4,800 trainers over three years, covering all age inpatient mental health hospitals; forensic psychiatric care; secure welfare, youth justice and residential schools; and all age community settings, including CAMHs.
The programme will commence in April 2023, and training dates will be released in March 2023.
Alexis Quinn, Autistic activist and author of 'Unbroken' and 'Autistic & Expecting'
“For far too long the autistic population have been marginalised for their expressions of difference and uniqueness.
We are compared unfavourably to all manner of undesirable things. At best, in my lifetime I was relentlessly bullied; at worst I was unnecessarily deprived of my liberty and assaulted in various institutions designed to care. If only people had understood my communication - my cries for help!
This training offers a neurodivergent-friendly approach to thinking about and supporting autistic people. Designed and delivered by the population it seeks to serve, it enables unique insights into autistic lives.
I have been pleased to support the work of AT-Autism and the Anna Freud Centre. Each engagement with the core management team on this programme has been a breath of fresh air - they are approachable, flexible and understanding. Most importantly I feel supported and accepted - two 'feelings' I have not been used to. As a result, I feel hopeful in our shared goals.”
Delivered in partnership with