At Ashley’s House, our focus has always been on creating a safe, joyful, and inclusive space where autistic girls aged 11–18 can learn vital life skills, build confidence, and feel truly understood.
We are aware of the recent changes to Section 19 duties which state that local authorities can no longer meet their educational obligations by placing children who are not on a school admissions register in non-school alternative provision. While this change may affect how placements are commissioned, it does not diminish the vital role that community-based, relational, and sensory-informed support plays in the lives of autistic young people.
Ashley’s House is not a school. We are a specialist life-skills and wellbeing provision designed to complement, not replace, formal education. Our sessions nurture self-regulation, independence, and social connection outcomes that are difficult to achieve through online or home-based education alone.
We remain committed to:
- Working in partnership with schools so that girls can remain on roll while attending Ashley’s House as part of a balanced, person-centred timetable.
- Offering family-led placements for parents seeking holistic, in-person support.
- Providing an environment of safety, acceptance, and belonging, where each girl’s strengths and sensory needs are honoured.
While online education may meet statutory obligations on paper, we believe that children thrive best in spaces where they are seen, supported, and surrounded by care. Ashley’s House will continue to provide that a place of warmth, growth, and community for autistic girls and their families.
