A SERVICE providing post-diagnostic support for autistic people in Edinburgh, Number 6, may be at risk after the council announced that it was to have its funding cut.
With its contract with The City of Edinburgh Council due to end next year, Number 6 is due to be assessed and could see big hits to its funding under new plans.
The council wants to use the funds to instead create a new streamlined service for other neurodivergent people and those awaiting diagnoses in Edinburgh, and stated that they have a duty to review their contracts and open bidding for said contracts to other organisations.
However, the council reportedly does not plan to increase funding to meet elevated demand, and workers at the facility claim that the funding proposed to the service would be enough to maintain just two full-time members of staff.
Now, a petition has been started to save what one described as a “crucial lifeline” for autistic adults in Edinburgh.
Number 6 has operated in Edinburgh since June 2005 and provides social opportunities and one-to-one advice and support on a range of issues.
The service is specifically for autistic adults who are 16 years old and over, have a formal autism diagnosis, do not have a learning disability, and are residents in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders.
Number 6 used to provide autism assessments and diagnoses, with waiting lists under a year long, but have since stopped doing so when the council decided not to renew its contract for diagnoses more than a year ago.
Number 6 is highly regarded among autistic people in Edinburgh, providing much-needed specialised, practical support for vulnerable people.
In a statement, Matthew Day, Number 6 service manager, pointed out the following issues with the council’s proposals: “Opening up Number 6 to those on waiting lists and those with an ADHD diagnosis (but not autistic) will massively increase demand on the service
“The amount of money available for this new service has not been confirmed, but looks likely to be the same or a reduction on the funding given this year for autistic adults only (which was already a 30% reduction from last year).
“The amount of money they are offering for this service would effectively pay for two members of staff.
“If we tender for providing this service, and our bid is accepted, then this would lead to a reduction in the current service provision at Number 6 for autistic adults.
He added: “The council proposals will inevitably have a negative impact on services we currently provide to autistic adults in Edinburgh.”
A petition to save the service and ask the council to reverse its planned cuts has garnered over 1000 signatures since it was posted on 18 September.
One commenter on the petition said: “Last year I received my autism diagnosis at Number 6.
“This news was life changing. Since then, I have used peer support services and workshops to help me understand my needs.
“My mental health has greatly improved because of this service, leading me to be able to return to work full-time and manage everyday challenges.
“The autistic community has very few support services on offer. We need a safe space and tailored services to allow us to thrive in a world that is not built for us.”
The council has not specifically said that Number 6 would close under the new proposals, only that it will be reformed into a new service.
It also stated that at the end of contracts, it has a duty to review its services and open up the field to other organisations.
Christine Laverty, chief officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Number 6 currently provide post-diagnostic support for autistic people in Edinburgh on our behalf.
“The contract we have with them is due to end next year.
“When contracts end, we have a duty to carry out assessment to ensure that the service is still needed and if any changes should be made to make it more effective.
“We must also give other organisations the opportunity to bid to provide the service.
“Our assessment process showed that while funding for the service should stay at similar levels, what the service offers should change.
“This includes supporting people with ADHD as well as autism, and supporting people from when they are waiting for a diagnosis.
“We also need to improve what we offer for people who wish to connect with services online.
“We have received several notes of interest to provide this service, so we are now moving to a tender process to give organisations the opportunity to bid and be assessed fairly against agreed criteria.
“I understand that this will cause unrest for people who use services at Number 6.
“I want to assure people that we will stay in regular contact with anyone who may be affected and inform people when decisions are made.”
Those close to the service disagree with the council’s estimations, however, and believe that the cuts can only result in Number 6 being shuttered, with Edinburgh’s autistic community left out in the cold.
Number 6 is due to have a meeting with patients on the planned changes on 7 October.
Number 6 has been approached for comment.
