Resources for Autism

What Resources for Autism does

Resources for Autism is a UK registered charity (Charity Reg. no. 1061253, Company Limited by Guarantee 3326332) founded in 1997 by Dr Hartley Booth OBE, delivering specialist autism support services across Greater London and the West Midlands. It serves autistic children, young people and adults, their parents and carers, and the professionals and organisations who work with them. Core services are organised around person-centred, acceptance-based frameworks that combine established therapeutic approaches including Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Team Teach, and Positive Behaviour Support, alongside proprietary methodologies such as the RFA Behaviour Position Statement and an adapted Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture quality framework. The product portfolio spans Online Autism Advice (nationwide virtual), Autism Family Training, counselling, weekly social groups for adults, youth clubs and holiday play schemes for children aged 5-19, play therapy in the West Midlands, behaviour support and behaviour assessments, EOTAS packages, Early Help service, IRAS signposting, sibling groups, parent/carer drop-ins, and a Training & Consultancy division serving corporate and public-sector clients. Physical service delivery is anchored on the Barnet Children & Families Autism Hub (headquarters, 858 Finchley Road, London) and the Lewisham Autism Hub (The Fellowship Inn), with an additional West Midlands office at BAYC Birmingham.

The operating model is a hybrid non-profit revenue structure combining statutory commissioning (local authority short breaks, autism hub contracts, NHS Integrated Care partnerships with North Central London ICB and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust), user-facing service fees with means-tested subsidies (play therapy at GBP 45 full rate or GBP 30 subsidised per session), charitable donations and fundraising events, and earned income from corporate training and consultancy (bespoke packages from GBP 400). Approximately 35% of the annual budget must be raised through donations and fundraising each year, supported by individual giving, trust and foundation grants, corporate partnerships (notably MK2 Real Estate as Principal Charity of the Year alongside Marks & Spencer and Waitrose), events, and legacy gifts. Pricing is explicitly structured so that no service user is turned away for financial reasons, and the charity reports supporting over 2,000 beneficiaries and 5,000 family members annually.

Distribution and go-to-market rely on a hybrid physical-digital model: physical hubs and community venues for in-person delivery across Barnet, Lewisham, Southwark, Waltham Forest, Islington, Birmingham, Walsall and Solihull; Eventbrite self-serve booking for scheduled training; online referral and intake forms; and a growing nationwide virtual channel for parents, carers and autistic adults. Customer segments span individual service users (autistic children, young people and adults), parents and carers seeking support and respite, professionals requiring specialist training, and corporate and public-sector organisations purchasing neurodiversity training. Leadership was reorganised in 2024 with the appointment of Phil Cook as CEO in April 2024 and Anne-Marie Trevelyan as Chair, followed by the October 2025 appointment of Sarah Beg as Head of People & Operations, reflecting a deliberate professionalisation of the senior team.

Name

Resources for Autism

Legal name

Resources for Autism

Website

https://resourcesforautism.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Resources for Autism is a UK charity founded in 1997 that provides specialist autism support services, including advice, training, counselling, social groups, youth clubs, and behaviour support, to autistic children, adults, families, professionals, and corporate clients across Greater London and the West Midlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Communication Support (AAC, Pragmatics & Language) (EDAKAKAG), Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Disability charity
• Behaviour support
• Autism training
• Play therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Statutory Funding and Local Authority Contracts: Core revenue from local authority commissioning for short breaks, early help services, and autism hub operations. Services such as holiday play schemes and youth clubs are often funded through local authority short breaks.
2. Service Fees: Fees charged for services such as play therapy at £45/session full rate or £30/session subsidised rate. Youth clubs and holiday schemes have means-tested contribution fees.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Relies on donations and fundraising to fund approximately 35% of annual budget. Multiple fundraising channels including individual giving, trust and foundations, corporate partnerships, events, and legacy gifts.
4. Corporate Training and Consultancy: Bespoke autism training services for organisations including corporate, charities, local authorities, and educators. Pricing starts from £400 for consultancy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Resources for Autism is a UK specialist autism charity providing direct support to autistic children, young people, adults, parents and carers through Online Autism Advice, Counselling, Social Groups, Youth Clubs, Holiday Play Schemes, Play Therapy (West Midlands), Behaviour Support, EOTAS Packages, Early Help Service, and Parent/Carer Drop-Ins. It operates Autism Hubs in Barnet and Lewisham as community focal points and delivers Training & Consultancy programmes to organisations, businesses, charities, local authorities and educators. Services are funded through statutory contracts, means-tested service fees, corporate training fees, donations and fundraising covering ~35% of the annual budget.

Product overview

Resources for Autism is a specialist autism charity offering a comprehensive portfolio of services across Greater London and the West Midlands. The organisation provides direct support through Online Autism Advice, Autism Family Training, Counselling, Weekly Social Groups, and Virtual Events. For children and families, the charity operates Youth Clubs, Holiday Play Schemes, Play Therapy (West Midlands), EOTAS Packages, Early Help Services, Sibling Groups, and Parent/Carer Support. The organisation also runs dedicated Autism Hubs in Barnet and Lewisham serving as 'one stop shops' for the autism community. Behaviour Support and Behaviour Assessments provide specialist expertise for individuals with complex needs. The Training & Consultancy division offers programmes for corporations, charities, local authorities, educators, and families. Services are available in person across multiple London boroughs (Barnet, Lewisham, Southwark, Waltham Forest, Islington) and West Midlands (Birmingham, Walsall, Solihull), with virtual options for remote support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Autism Advice Personalised one-to-one virtual sessions delivered by autism specialists, providing tailored guidance for autistic adults or for parents/carers of autistic children. Accessible remotely via online booking.
• Autism Family Training Service Bespoke training workshops for parents and carers of autistic individuals, delivering autism awareness, practical strategies and support techniques.
• Weekly Social Groups Regular social and skills-building groups for autistic adults offering peer connection, community engagement, and personal development activities.
• Counselling Specialist autism-friendly counselling for autistic adults, supporting anxiety, mental health and emotional wellbeing through supportive therapeutic sessions.
• Virtual Events Online group sessions, workshops, and events for autistic individuals and families that provide accessible virtual support regardless of geographic location.
• Youth Clubs Weekend and after-school clubs for autistic children and young people aged 5-19, offering autism-friendly activities segmented by age and ability.
• Holiday Play Schemes Specialist holiday play schemes during Easter, Summer, Christmas and half-terms for autistic children and young people (aged 5-19) delivered in London and the West Midlands.
• Play Therapy (West Midlands) Autism specialist therapeutic play service using non-directive modalities including music, art, stories, sandplay and puppetry, delivered in 40-minute weekly sessions in the West Midlands at £45 full rate or £30 subsidised per session.
• Early Help Service Commissioned 12-week hands-on family support service delivered by autism specialists, developing proactive strategies and preventing crisis escalation.
• IRAS Service (Initial Response Advice and Signposting) Initial welcome calls providing autism advice and signposting to other organisations across Barnet, Lewisham, Southwark, Birmingham, and Birmingham and Solihull.
• Navigating The Wait Together Free workshops and peer support groups for Birmingham residents whose children are on the autism assessment waiting list, covering autism understanding, services, sensory processing and wellbeing.
• Sibling Groups Monthly groups for siblings (aged 8-16) of autistic individuals in the West Midlands, offering a safe space to have fun and receive mutual support.
• Parent/Carer Support Drop In Informal coffee mornings and virtual sessions facilitated by the Family Support Team, allowing parents and carers to meet, share experiences and access mutual support.
• Barnet Children & Families Autism Hub Physical 'one stop shop' autism hub in Barnet providing information, workshops, social opportunities and support services for autistic children, young people, parents and carers in the borough.
• Lewisham Autism Hub All-age autism hub in Lewisham providing services for autistic children, young people, adults, parents, carers and training for professionals across the borough.
• Behaviour Support Expert behaviour support providing proactive, positive and respectful strategies to understand and respond to behaviours of concern, grounded in the charity's person-centred Behaviour Position Statement.
• Behaviour Assessments Personalised behaviour assessments and bespoke Behaviour Support Plans for autistic individuals with complex needs, including home visits and multi-professional collaboration.
• EOTAS Packages Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) packages providing personalised learning for children unable to attend mainstream settings, supporting transition back to educational environments.
• BSOL Branching Minds Short-term bespoke project supporting autistic adults and parents/carers of autistic children and adults in Birmingham and Solihull.
• Training & Consultancy Comprehensive training programmes and bespoke consultancy for organisations, businesses, charities, local authorities, educators, and parents/carers covering autism awareness and neurodiversity inclusion, with consultancy pricing from £400.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 beneficiaries and 5,000 family members supported annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Harbottle and Lewis LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate law firm partner receiving autism training services. Provided positive feedback on training sessions.
• Music UnlockedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent partner organisation working with Resources for Autism to support autistic individuals.
• VM02coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent partner organisation supporting the work of Resources for Autism.
• New Quadrant PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent partner organisation supporting Resources for Autism.
• Birmingham AirportflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerReceived bespoke training and consultancy package to equip colleagues with skills to support neurodivergent passengers.
• Barnet CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner commissioning autism hub services in Barnet.
• Waltham Forest CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal authority partner for holiday play scheme services.
• North Central London Integrated CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS partnership for integrated autism care services.
• Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS partnership supporting Birmingham and Solihull autism services.
• MK2 Real EstateflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner as Principal Charity of the Year.
• AubilitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation supporting autism services.
• Marks & SpencerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter through donations and fundraising.
• WaitroseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter through donations.
• Landau LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner who made the All Age Autism Service Directory for Birmingham and Solihull available.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MENCAP: UK's leading learning disability charity with a broad service portfolio including family support, housing, and training. Comparable in social services delivery and statutory partnerships but broader scope than autism-specific.

Emerging players

• Lexxic: Provider of corporate neurodiversity training, coaching, and consultancy. Closely comparable to RFA's Training & Consultancy arm targeting organisations, law firms, and employers.
• Adjust Services: Specialist neurodiversity training and consultancy for employers, comparable to RFA's corporate training offering, including reasonable adjustments and workplace inclusion programmes.

Direct peers

• National Autistic Society: The UK's largest autism charity, providing information, support, education, and campaigning for autistic people and families. Directly comparable in service breadth, regional presence, training programmes, and statutory funding model.
• Autism Initiatives: UK charity providing direct support services, residential care, and education for autistic people across multiple regions. Overlapping in family support, behaviour support, and community-based service delivery.
• Ambitious about Autism: UK charity focused on autistic children and young people, operating TreeHouse School and Ambitious about Autism College. Closely comparable in education (EOTAS, schools), youth services, and parent/carer training.
• Autism Concern: UK charity providing direct support, social groups, and training for autistic people and families. Comparable in community-led model, direct service delivery, and reliance on donations and local authority funding.

Others

• Contact (for families with disabled children): UK charity supporting families of disabled children including autistic children, offering parent training, advice, and peer support. Comparable in parent/carer education and family-facing services.

Regional players

• Scottish Autism: Scotland's leading autism charity providing direct support, education, and training. Comparable in service model (hubs, behaviour support, training) but operates primarily in Scotland.
• Asperger East Anglia: Regional autism charity providing advice, support, and social groups. Comparable in service mix and direct-to-consumer delivery but focused on the East of England.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ResourcesAutism
• Facebookfacebook.com/ResourcesforAutism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/resources-for-autism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Resources for Autism