Priory’s evidence has played a key role in shaping a landmark House of Lords report calling for urgent reforms to improve support for autistic people across the UK.
The report, Time to Deliver, concludes that many autistic people still face significant barriers to diagnosis, community support and appropriate mental health care, despite the Autism Act being in place since 2009.
In its submission to the Autism Act 2009 Committee, Priory highlighted the challenges autistic people experience in inpatient services, including prolonged hospital stays caused by gaps in community provision.
Priory also shared real-world evidence showing how personalised, appropriate environments – such as its pioneering Bespoke Therapeutic Placements – and structured transition planning led by experts can lead to improved outcomes.
The Committee’s final recommendations reflect many of these themes, calling for more tailored care, better commissioning and stronger accountability for delivering autism strategies nationally.
Michelle Widjaew, assessment and transitions director for autism at Priory, said: “Much of what the Committee is calling for is already happening within Priory services. We see every day how autism-informed environments, personalised therapeutic pathways and carefully planned transitions can transform outcomes for autistic people.
Our Bespoke Therapeutic Placements and community transition models show what is possible when services are designed around people’s sensory, therapeutic and independence needs. These approaches are proven – and with the right national framework they could be scaled more widely across the country.
She added: “We are encouraged that the report mirrors the approaches we have developed and delivered for many years. The Committee has set out a clear vision for change and many of the answers already exist in services like ours.
“We look forward to supporting and participating in further discussions about the national autism strategy after 2026 and how it is implemented, particularly with regards to further practical, evidence-based solutions that improve quality of life, reduce distress and shorten unnecessary hospital stays.”