Ahead of World Autism Awareness Week (2nd-8th April) Islington Labour councillors gathered with the Mayor of Islington to commit to doing more to support people with Autism in the borough.

Islington Council has announced plans to build more specialist accommodation for local residents living with Autism. Following a review of accommodation for people with Autism and those with learning disabilities, which set out plans for more supported living accommodation, so as to avoid placing people with complex needs outside of the borough.

Islington Council’s Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Janet Burgess, said: “We’re committed to making Islington a better place to live and work for everyone, and we want to do more to help people with Autism and other learning disabilities be closer to their loved ones.”

“Ahead of World Autism Awareness Week, I’m pleased that we are progressing plans to build more homes for people with Autism and complex disabilities in the borough, so they can be nearer to their families. These plans are at quite an early stage but will be a big help.”

The planned new builds are set to be completed in the next 12 to 36 months, subject to full consultation and planning permission.

Ahead of World Autism Awareness Week, councillors, the Mayor, and council staff gathered to show their support for raising awareness of Autism (see photo).

The National Autistic Society previously awarded Wray Court -; a specialist residential home for those with Autism, run by the council -; ‘Excellence Accreditation’ for its service standards alongside Spectrum, which is a Council run day service for people with Autism.

Research by the National Autistic Society found that 87 per cent of people affected by Autism do not think the public have a good enough understanding of Autis