Autism Steering Group responds to consultation feedback

Wednesday 04 March 2026

The Autism Steering Group has set a series of short-term priorities following a public consultation in March 2025.

The consultation sought the views of autistic people, their families and carers, and professionals who work with them. It focused on the Guernsey Autism Framework (2016) and how it should be updated to reflect current needs and expectations.

The Autism Steering Group is a strategic body based within HSC, working collaboratively across Committees and with third sector partners.

Feedback was analysed thematically. Many respondents highlighted charities and community groups as helpful and trusted sources of support. However, some noted that these charities are under-resourced, which can limit the services they are able to provide.

Respondents also praised individual professionals and certain services for delivering excellent support, particularly in specialist education, school-based provision, and diagnostic pathways. Some felt that public awareness and social inclusion are improving. Despite this, significant areas for improvement were identified across services supporting autistic people and within the wider community.

As a result of the consultation, the Steering Group has agreed the following short-term goals to be achieved by the end of Q2, 2026:

• Review and update the Autism Framework.
• Establish a Partnership Working Group to ensure the voice of Autistic people help shape services.
• Create sub-groups to focus on the key recommendations identified through the survey, including:

o Improving access to diagnosis and structured post-diagnostic support.

o Strengthening support and training within education settings.

o Increasing public awareness, autism training, and social inclusion.

o Improving transitions from child to adult services.

o Expanding support for employment, independent living, and life skills.

While many of these recommendations will take time to implement, the Steering Group has already acted on several points raised in the consultation:

• You told us assessment pathways were unclear. We have now updated and published these pathways on Signpost Autistic spectrum condition - Signpost
• You told us assessments should be more integrated. We have launched a pilot scheme offering joint Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder assessments for school-aged children.

Sian Ogier, Associate Director, Specialist Mental Health and Adult Disability Services, said:

"I would like to thank the 154 people who took part in the survey, providing us with vital feedback to gain a better understanding of what autistic people think. The Steering Group acknowledges there is still work to be done to improve the lives of autistic people in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and we remain committed to working together to make things better."