‘Families will bear the burden’ – children with autism to miss out after no agreement reached on Highland Council funding
Families of children with autism will be left to bear the brunt of a “devastating” lack of agreement for Highland Council funding for an award winning region-wide information service, its operators say.
The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS) announced the news that its Highland Information Service (HIS) will be forced to close on April 24 after the local authority confirmed it would no longer fund it because both sides could not reach an agreement.
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The move comes in the wake of rising demand and increased costs to run the service which NAS says has made it “no longer economically viable” to deliver.
Cessation of funding will mean the loss of NAS Highland information officer Alison Footitt - the society’s most northerly based, and the service’s only employee.
Representatives from the society’s Highland branch say the effects of the decision will hit parents and carers the hardest, with an estimated 100 families reaching out to them via the service each year, with queries or requests for support and advice.
Third sector services who rely on the HIS to act as a “keystone” of a structure that “fills in the gaps” between neurodevelopmental services in the Highlands, will also feel a knock-on effect from its closure.
NAS Highland chair Carrie Watts said there had been an increase in demand amid stagnating funding levels.
“When so much is already difficult and children and families must fight to be seen and supported, it is a devastating development to close down an effective, meaningful service,” she said.
“HIS is one that makes a practical difference every single day to the lives of the people who use it, with no plans for providing alternative support in its place.
“The service demand expanded and shifted and the organisations providing the services have always met that demand, but without ever receiving an increase in funding to reflect what is now being delivered.
“The burden of this service closure will be carried by the families and the other third sector services who support them.
“The loss of Alison’s work and dedication will be felt by them too. Her understanding of the local area and what is available where, her relationship building, and her ability to think outside the silos of the Highland Council mindset.
“Autistic people and their families have suffered a significant injury from this short-sighted move. Ironic, really, that it is taking place during Autism Acceptance Month.”
The branch fears that families, many living in some of the most remote areas of the Highlands, could become “cut off” from services such as its book and support aid library, monthly information sessions and access to vital Scotland-wide support mechanisms.
The Pines, a multi-agency team who support children and families with neurodevelopmental needs across the whole of the Highlands, face the loss of its book and sensory item library, online information services via YouTube and its website as a consequence of the service ending.
In a message to supporters, NAS said that it “will continue to engage with the council and other partners” in the hope that funding may be available in the future.
The statement read: “The service has been supporting autistic children and young people, and their families across Highland for over 12 years.
“During that time, it has helped over 950 families, giving them invaluable advice, guidance and signposting information.
“It also leaves an important legacy including a dedicated website for the Pines Neurodevelopmental Service, a multi-disciplinary team supporting autistic children, young people and their families, and a library of over 1000 books and sensory items which is available through the Pines.
“[The Highland Information Service] has been operating with the same level of funding for 12 years, despite increasing demand and higher costs, and is no longer economically viable.
“We engaged with the funder, Highland Council, to keep the service going, but ultimately no agreement was reached.”
A spokesperson for Inverness-based charity Thriving Families and partner of NAS Highland said: “We are feeling heartbroken with this outcome for our incredible partner National Autistic Society Scotland and wonderful colleague Alison Footitt.
“We have achieved so much together that wouldn't have been possible otherwise, showing what a collaboration based on a solid foundation of trust, connection and passion can deliver.”
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “The council engaged with the National Autistic Society (NAS) to explore alternative sources of funding to continue the Highland Information Service, with one potential option being the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund.
“However, NAS decided not to pursue this further and chose to close the service.”
The National Autistic Society Scotland will continue to have a footprint in Highland through its volunteer-led Highland Branch.
Their website can be accessed at autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance.
