What Options Group does

Options Autism is a UK specialist education provider serving autistic children and young people aged 4-25, operating as a wholly-owned brand under Outcomes First Group. The organisation runs a network of 50+ schools and colleges across every UK macro-region (Scotland, Wales, and all English regions), with each site delivering small-group education (classes capped at 6-8 pupils) alongside integrated on-site clinical services including psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychotherapy. Its core differentiators are proprietary clinical frameworks rather than software: the Trauma Informed Practice (TIP) 3 Cs Model developed by Dr. Leanne Johnson, the Ask Accept Develop (AAD) Neurodiversity Strategy co-designed with a lived-experience panel, and a graduated Clinical Pyramid Model. Innovative learning tools include QTrobot (an interactive therapeutic robot) and Immersive VR Classrooms. Supporting resources include the Autism Unpacked podcast, a Futures Team careers guidance programme, and a School Finder tool.

The business model is a single recurring revenue stream: UK Local Authorities commission specialist placements through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with Individual Placement Agreements signed between the school and the commissioning LA. The organisation works with 200+ Local Authorities and reports that 98% of its services are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, Care Inspectorate Wales, Care Inspectorate Scotland, and Estyn. Go-to-market is a relationship-based, sales-led motion into LA commissioners, complemented by parent/carer direct-enquiry pathways that ultimately still require LA funding and EHCP naming. Quality and regulatory performance is the principal commercial lever: Outstanding ratings drive referrals from commissioners seeking named providers for EHCPs.

Operational evidence includes multi-region coverage with named school sites, a deep executive team led by UK CEO Richard Power with regional directors across North, South, London, and Midlands, and a clinical leadership bench (Director of Behaviour Culture, Clinical Director, Heads of SLT, OT, and Psychological Practice). Recent momentum is reflected in Outstanding Ofsted ratings at Overton (June 2025) and Bower Lodge (2026), a 2026 Global Inclusion Award for Mountfield Heath, and continued content-channel investment via the Autism Unpacked podcast. The company is privately held with no disclosed standalone revenue or headcount time-series in the source data.

Name

Options Group

Legal name

Options Autism

Website

https://optionsautism.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Options Autism is a UK specialist education provider operating 50+ schools and colleges for autistic children and young people aged 4-25, funded by 200+ Local Authorities through Education, Health and Care Plans. It is a brand within Outcomes First Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Alcester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices47 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Local Authority Education Funding: School places are funded directly by Local Authorities through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Local Authorities name Options Autism schools in Section IV of EHCPs and provide core funding plus additional funding as specified in assessments. Individual Placement Agreements (IPAs) are signed between schools and Local Authorities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Options Group is a global executive search firm that recruits senior professionals and C-suite executives for clients in the financial services and technology industries. The firm operates specialist practice areas including trading, technology, quantitative research, risk, compliance, and corporate management, providing retained search, talent mapping, market intelligence, and salary benchmarking services to corporate employers.

Product overview

Options Autism is a specialist education provider for autistic children and young people, operating as part of Outcomes First Group. The portfolio consists of a network of schools and colleges across the UK offering tailored education for ages 4-25, supported by integrated clinical services (psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy). Core therapeutic approaches include Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP) and the Ask Accept Develop (AAD) neurodiversity strategy. Supporting resources include the Autism Unpacked Podcast, Futures Team careers guidance, innovative learning tools (QTrobot, Immersive Classrooms), and a School Finder tool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Acorn Education: Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life's important steps. Part of Outcomes First Group.
• Momenta Connect
• Blenheim Schools
• Autism Unpacked

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of services rated Good or Outstanding by regulatory inspectors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kids of GuernicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHillingdon Manor School participated in the Kids of Guernica international art project, creating a Peace Banner for the initiative dedicated to promoting peace, understanding and unity through children's artwork. The banner will travel to international venues including WWW Art event in London and an international peace conference in Argentina.
• Dream Big FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting work experience opportunities for pupils. The Dream Big Foundation helps provide unique vocational experiences that inspire pupils to pursue their passions, working alongside the Futures Team careers guidance programme.
• Universities (Research Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOptions Autism works with several universities providing placements for doctoral and professional students in teaching, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychology. Ongoing research and development projects are overseen by an advisory board chaired by Professor Barry Carpenter with renowned experts including Professor Francesca Happé and Professor Mary-Louise Hemmeter.
• Professor Barry Carpenter (Advisory Board Chair)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Barry Carpenter chairs the Research, Innovation, and Development Board and Advisory Board, providing academic oversight and expertise in trauma-informed practice and autism education. He is a renowned expert in the field.
• Professor Francesca HappécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned autism researcher providing advisory board expertise and contributing to the Ask Accept Develop Neurodiversity Strategy development. Guest on Autism Unpacked podcast discussing autism in girls.
• The Feeding TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with The Feeding Trust, led by Natalie Raven Morris, providing expertise on ARFID and paediatric feeding disorders. Featured in Autism Unpacked podcast episodes exploring feeding and eating challenges for autistic young people.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hesley Group: UK specialist residential and day education provider focused on autistic children and young people with complex needs. Directly comparable in operating model, commissioning channel (Local Authority EHCP funding), and clinical specialism.
• Cambian Group: UK specialist education and residential care provider (part of CareTech Holdings) serving children with autism, learning disabilities and SEMH needs. Comparable in funding model, regulatory regime, and multi-site operating model.
• Witherslack Group: UK specialist education and care provider for children with SEN, now part of Outcomes First Group (same parent as Options Autism). Closely comparable in clinical specialism, LA commissioning model, and therapeutic approach.
• Priory Education and Children's Services: Division of Priory Group providing specialist education and residential care for children with autism and complex needs. Comparable in clinical model, LA commissioning channel, and multi-site UK footprint.
• Aurora Group: UK specialist education provider for children and young people with autism and learning disabilities, operating schools and residential homes. Directly comparable in target population, regulatory regime, and EHCP funding model.

Emerging players

• Ambitious about Autism: UK charity running specialist schools and colleges (e.g., TreeHouse School, Ambitious College) for autistic pupils. Overlaps in clinical specialism and age range, though operates under a charity rather than for-profit commissioning model.
• National Autistic Society Schools: Charity-run specialist schools and services for autistic children and young people across the UK. Comparable in clinical specialism and age range but operates under a charity model with mixed funding sources.

Broad incumbents

• Cognita Schools: Large international schools group operating premium mainstream and a small number of specialist provisions. Relevant as a broader UK education incumbent but does not specialise in Options Autism's SEND focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/optionsautism
• Facebookfacebook.com/optionsautism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optionsautism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries51 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Options Group