Commissioning responsibilities for learning disabilities and autism have been part of the provider collaborative since June 2024, which has ensured that that the way learning disabilities and autism services are designed and developed follow the same partnership approach as mental health services.
The LDA team work closely with a range of VCFSE organisations to ensure that services are safe, high quality and meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism.
Find out more below about the organisations we work with and the services they provide:
The Dynamic Support Register
The dynamic support register (DSR) is the mechanism for local Birmingham and Solihull system partners (health, social care, education, and third and independent sector) to:
- identify people with a learning disability or autism who may be at risk of admission to a mental health hospital,
- work together to review the needs of each person registered on the DSR,
- mobilise the right support to help prevent the person being admitted to a mental health hospital.
Both self-referrals and professional referrals are accepted.
Visit the DSR Self-referral portal for more information and to make a referral.
Our providers
Autism West Midlands
Autism Confident (Teens and adults)
Autism West Midlands run Autism Confident programmes for young people (aged 13-17) and adults (18+) living in Birmingham and Solihull. Both programmes are suitable for people who are either awaiting a formal diagnosis (on the diagnostic pathway) or people who are newly diagnosed.
In both programmes training is delivered to small groups in a relaxed learning environment based around six themes: autism awareness, sensory needs, social communication, flexibility of thought, managing anxiety and disclosing your diagnosis.
Rising to the Challenge
This programme is open to parents/carers with children with or without a diagnosis and is designed to build parents/carers knowledge of autism as well as help them develop skills to support their parent/caring responsibilities.
To sign up, visit the Autism West Midlands events page, contact the information line: 0121 450 7575 or email: info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk.
Autism Key Worker Service
Delivered in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Key Worker Service is for autistic adults (25+) who have mental health needs and are at risk of hospital admission or require additional support during discharge.
The service works with individuals for an estimated 12-week period, alongside mental health teams to ensure autism specific support is in place to achieve best outcomes and advocate for autistic individuals.
To access a keyworker, the adult should have a diagnosis of autism, be registered on the dynamic support register (DSR) and either be an inpatient due to be discharged within 12 weeks, or at risk of admission.
Referrals are accepted from professionals only.
For more information on Autism Confident, Rising to the Challenge or the Key Worker Service, visit the Autism West Midlands website.
Barnardos
Key Worker Service
Barnardo’s Autism and Learning Disability keyworkers work in partnership with the NHS in Birmingham and Solihull to support children and young people up to the age of 25 who are on the dynamic support register due to being at risk of mental health hospital admission or are already in an inpatient setting. The key workers ensure that these children, young people and their families get the right help, at the right time, across complex systems.
Referrals are accepted from by clinicians from Forward Thinking Birmingham, Solar, Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust via the dynamic support register (DSR) meetings, inpatient reviews and care, education and treatment reviews (CETR).
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/bsol-keyworker-service
Resources for Autism (RfA)
BSol Branching Minds
This is a one-year programme for autistic adults (18+), parent carers, NHS professionals, RfA staff and volunteers.
It offers accessible mental health and wellbeing sessions that promote self-understanding, resilience and connection. The programme highlights how autism can affect communication of health needs, aiming to reduce hospital admissions and misdiagnosis. Through education, self-care, and guidance tools, it builds confidence in seeking and delivering care.
For details, visit the Resources for Autism website or email kam@resourcesforautism.org.uk.
Solihull Action Through Advocacy
Circles of Support
This service supports adults in Solihull with learning disabilities and/or autism who have few or no social connections. Its goal is to build lasting friendships and community networks. A circles developer builds trust, learns about the individual’s interests, and identifies local opportunities to meet new people. Informal meetings are arranged to foster relationships. Volunteers also host regular events for safe socialising.
Referrals can be made by professionals or individuals via the Solihull Action Through Advocacy website.
Landau
All Age Autism Support Service
The All Age Autism Support Service directory provides a centralised and reliable source of information on Birmingham and Solihull support services available to autistic individuals, their families and caregivers, as well as professionals across education, health, and social care.
Developed in collaboration with Experts by Experience, the directory includes information on local events, support groups and community organisations as well as news and podcasts.
Users can efficiently search for services by location or keyword, making it a practical tool for both direct support and professional referral.
