Autistic individuals and families on the Isle of Wight are facing a devastating loss. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) has withdrawn funding for AIM, an autistic-led service that has supported the community for over five years.

This decision comes immediately after the ICB also cut Barnardo’s family support services, which provided skills-building programmes for parents and carers of neurodivergent children aged 3-17. These cuts mean that essential support for neurodivergent individuals and their families is being systematically removed, without a clear replacement in place.

The Isle of Wight’s Wider Service Disparity

The Isle of Wight already suffers from significant disparities in social and health services, particularly in support for children and young people. Reports from the Isle of Wight Council’s Policy and Scrutiny Committee highlight the urgent need for improvements in children’s health and wellbeing, with a focus on collaboration between the ICB, Children’s Services, and Public Health.

 

Why AIM is Essential

AIM is more than just a service; it is a lifeline for autistic people and their families. It provides:

• Specialist peer support groups for autistic children, teenagers, adults, and families.
• Workshops for young people, helping them understand and embrace their identity.
• A safe and accessible space for those who struggle to engage with mainstream services.
• Training for schools and professionals to improve autism understanding and support.
• A sensory resource library, allowing families to trial sensory aids before making significant financial commitments—a crucial service given the economic challenges many families face.

These services cannot simply be replaced by general provision. AIM is run by autistic people, for autistic people—offering lived experience, understanding, and acceptance that no other service provides.

 

Lack of Impact Assessment

There is no evidence that a full impact assessment was conducted before the decision to withdraw AIM’s funding. This raises concerns about the lack of meaningful engagement with those who rely on AIM, despite the ICB frequently signposting families to the service when statutory provision falls short.

 

What Will Happen if AIM Closes?

Increased isolation – Many autistic children and adults rely on AIM as their only source of community and support.

 

A rise in mental health crises – The loss of early intervention will push more families into crisis, putting further strain on already overstretched NHS services.

 

No viable alternative support – The Isle of Wight already lacks sufficient autism services. Removing AIM makes this even worse.

 

What Needs to Happen?

We are calling on:

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB to reinstate AIM’s funding immediately or put in place a suitable alternative.

 

The Isle of Wight Council to intervene and hold the ICB accountable for the removal of services.

 

Local MPs and elected officials to challenge these cuts and demand transparency.

 

Why This Matters

AIM has filled a gap that statutory services have consistently failed to meet. Now that the ICB has withdrawn its funding, there is no clear plan for replacing these vital services. This decision will have long-term, damaging effects, particularly on children and the most vulnerable members of the autistic community.

 

AIM’s funding has already been removed. If action is not taken immediately, this service will be lost forever, and those who rely on it will have nowhere to turn.

 

Sign This Petition to Demand That AIM is Protected and Autism Support Services on the Isle of Wight Are Restored.