Autism West Midlands

What Autism West Midlands does

Autism West Midlands is a registered UK charity (Charity Number 517077) founded in 1965 in Birmingham and headquartered at Sense TouchBase Pears in Selly Oak. The organisation provides a comprehensive, integrated portfolio of autism-specific services spanning the full care continuum: six CQC-rated 'Good' residential homes (Upper Ford Lodge, Oakfield House, Pinetrees, The Poplars, Wagstaff Way, Gorse Farm), three community supported living sites (St Paul's in Smethwick, The Burrows and The Hollies in Droitwich, The Paddocks in Solihull), community support services across Birmingham, Solihull, Black Country, Shropshire, Telford, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, a free Matrix-accredited Information Line, paid training courses, the Alert Card scheme recognised by five police forces, and a Key Worker Service delivered in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The underlying operating model is labour-intensive personal service delivery rather than technology-enabled. The charity has 251-500 employees organised under a CEO (Tom Harrison, appointed 2023) with directors covering Finance & Resources, Operations, and People & Culture, supported by an unpaid Board of Trustees chaired by Paul Glasper. No proprietary technology platform, software products, or digital infrastructure beyond a standard website and social media presence is disclosed.

Revenue derives from three streams: voluntary donations and grants (the primary funding mechanism, including a £30,000 helpline grant and a historic £200,000 Department of Health grant via Autism Alliance), paid training services delivered face-to-face or via webinar to parents, professionals, NHS staff, employers and criminal justice services (quote-based pricing), and contracted income from NHS and local authority partners for clinical services such as the Key Worker Service and CASS navigator function. The organisation serves the West Midlands region's autism community, with an addressable population of approximately 60,000 autistic people, and reports 15,000+ helpline contacts, 8,000+ family activity attendees and 2,000+ parent group participants over a five-year period.

Name

Autism West Midlands

Legal name

Autism West Midlands

Website

https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Autism West Midlands is a Birmingham-based registered charity (founded 1965) delivering autism services across the West Midlands, including six CQC-rated residential homes, three supported living sites, community support, an accredited information helpline, training, and an NHS-partnered Key Worker Service for autistic adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAKAJ

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAKAL

Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAKAA

Autism Diagnostic & Educational Assessment Services

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Residential care services
• Community support services
• Autism training courses
• Supported living services

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Voluntary donations from individuals and corporate partners, plus grants from trusts and foundations to fund operations and specific projects.
2. Training Services: Paid training courses delivered to parents, professionals, businesses, and organizations on autism-related topics. There is a charge for training services.
3. Helpline Operations: The Information Line costs £15 per hour to run and is funded through voluntary donations, grants, and trusts rather than direct user fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Autism West Midlands is a registered charity delivering autism-specific support across the West Midlands, including six CQC-rated residential care homes, community support services, supported living sites, a free Matrix-accredited information helpline, autism training courses, Alert Cards for emergency communication, and a Key Worker Service for autistic adults with mental health needs. The organization also runs structured programmes such as Adult and Teen Autism Confident, alongside employment support via ASpire.

Product overview

Autism West Midlands operates as a multi-service charity providing autism-specific support across the West Midlands. The organisation offers a portfolio of interconnected services including: the AWM Information Line (a free Matrix-accredited helpline), six Residential Services care homes (all CQC-rated 'Good'), Community Support Services operating across multiple regional hubs, Community Supported Living with three dedicated sites (St Paul's, The Burrows, The Paddocks), Training courses on autism-related topics, Alert Cards for emergency communication, and the Key Worker Service for mental health support. These services work together to provide support from initial diagnosis through to residential care, with community-based offerings enabling independence while residential services offer 24-hour care for those requiring higher support needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AWM Information Line Free autism information helpline (0121 450 7575) providing advice and signposting to autistic people, families, carers and professionals in the West Midlands. Available Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Accredited by the Matrix Standard for quality information and guidance; costs £15 per hour to run and is funded through voluntary donations, grants and trusts.
• Residential Services Six residential care homes (Upper Ford Lodge, Oakfield House, Pinetrees, The Poplars, Wagstaff Way, Gorse Farm) providing round-the-clock care and supported living for autistic adults across the West Midlands. All six services are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission.
• Community Support Services Community-based services for children, families and adults within local communities across Birmingham, Solihull, Black Country, Shropshire, Telford, and Herefordshire & Worcestershire, supporting resilience, confidence and skills through support groups, family activities and outreach.
• Community Supported Living Specialist support enabling autistic adults to maintain independence, develop relationships and learn new skills. Includes dedicated supported living sites at St Paul's (Smethwick), The Burrows (Droitwich), and The Paddocks (Marston Green, Solihull).
• Autism Training Courses Paid autism training delivered face-to-face or via webinar covering Autism Awareness, Communication, Sensory Differences, Behaviours of Concern, Anxiety, Girls and Pathological Demand Avoidance. Targeted at parents, professionals, NHS staff, criminal justice services, employers and leisure services; tailored courses available.
• Alert Cards Plastic, bank card-sized cards (also available as digital PDF and JPEG downloads) recognised by West Midlands, West Mercia, Warwickshire, Staffordshire and British Transport Police to alert authorities that the cardholder is autistic and may have additional support needs. Provided free of charge.
• Key Worker Service Specialist key worker support delivered in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust for autistic adults (25+) with mental health needs who are at risk of hospital admission or require support during discharge from mental health inpatient services. Key workers operate alongside mental health teams for approximately 12-week periods.
• Adult Autism Confident Programme 8-week structured programme for diagnosed autistic adults in Birmingham and Solihull, offering opportunities to learn about autism, discuss experiences and identify helpful strategies in small group settings.
• Teen Autism Confident Programme 8-week structured programme for diagnosed autistic teens aged 13-18 living in Birmingham and Solihull, including one-to-one meetings and group sessions.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CASS PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coventry and Warwickshire Community Autism Support Service funded by Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Service. AWM provides navigator function for people diagnosed or seeking autism support in this area.
• Birmingham Airport and OCSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Completed airport video and guides project to create autism-friendly travel experience for people through Birmingham Airport.
• Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver a Key Worker Service for autistic adults (25+) with mental health needs who are at risk of hospital admission or require support during discharge from mental health inpatient services. Keyworkers work alongside mental health teams for approximately 12-week periods.
• SenseminorOthersAutism West Midlands is co-located at Sense TouchBase Pears in Selly Oak, Birmingham - a shared community hub offering inclusive space for individuals, families, and professionals to access services and support.
• University of BirminghamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in co-founding SPARC AUTISM in 2013 - a specialist diagnostic and assessment facility for adults in the West Midlands, developed together with academics and specialist clinicians.
• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner for St Paul's supported living service opened in 2003, providing placements for individuals previously in long-term secure hospitals.
• HomeServeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that selected Autism West Midlands as Charity of the Year. Employee fundraising and company-wide support.
• TSB New StreetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner Charity of the Year with activities including Mount Snowdon climb, bake sales, and events.
• Balfour Beatty VinciminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate fundraising partner with employee cycling challenge Windsor to Versailles (Castle to Chateau 2019).
• BTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing volunteering support and expertise sharing.
• Mahirs ExperienceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel company raising awareness by supporting Autism West Midlands through sponsorship.
• Autism AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of autism charities through which AWM secured Department of Health funding for awareness campaign.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• National Autistic Society: UK's largest autism charity providing information, education, residential services, and training nationally. Direct overlap with AWM's training, residential, and information-line services, but operates at UK-wide scale rather than regional focus.
• Hft (Home Farm Trust): UK charity providing residential, supported living, and community support for people with learning disabilities including autism. Comparable residential and supported living model, broader in scope beyond autism-only services.
• United Response: National charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs through residential, supported living, and community services. Comparable multi-service disability support model, broader disability scope than autism-only.
• MacIntyre: UK charity providing residential, supported living, and lifelong learning services for people with learning disabilities including autism. Similar integrated care-and-support operating model with comparable regional coverage.
• Together Trust: North West England-based charity providing residential, education, and community services for people with autism, learning disabilities, and complex needs. Comparable integrated service portfolio with regional scope.

Direct peers

• Ambitious about Autism: UK charity providing specialist education, employment support, and information services for autistic children and young people. Closely comparable service mix and funding model, focused on children/youth rather than AWM's broader age range.
• Autism Initiatives: UK charity providing residential care, supported living, and community support for autistic people across multiple regions. Closely comparable operating model focused on adults with autism, overlapping with AWM's residential and supported living services.

Regional players

• Scottish Autism: Scotland's leading autism charity operating residential services, supported living, day services, and training. Highly comparable operating model with residential and community services, but serves a different UK geography.
• Autism NI: Northern Ireland autism charity providing training, information, and family support services. Comparable information-line and training offering, but operates in a different UK jurisdiction.

Others

• Sense: National disability charity supporting people with complex disabilities including autism; AWM is co-located at Sense TouchBase Pears in Selly Oak. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor; overlapping beneficiary population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/autismwestmidlands
• Facebookfacebook.com/autismwestmidlands

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Autism West Midlands