Working with Autistic parents: Frontline Briefing (2025)
Introduction
As a profession rooted in social justice, equity and anti-oppressive practice, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: research consistently shows that Autistic parents and their children often experience social care systems as judgemental, exclusionary and sometimes harmful. So, we must ask - why is this happening? And what needs to change - in us, in our practice, in our organisations and in our systems?
These resources outline a neuroinclusive practice approach.
The Frontline Briefing introduces autism as it relates to practice with Autistic parents. Authored by Jenni Guthrie, who brings all of her expertise as an AuDHD+ registered social worker, practice educator and researcher. It has been developed in collaboration with Autistic parents and child and family practitioners across England and reflects the realities and experiences of families and providers.
It is a necessary responsibility for all social care practitioners to work relationally and inclusively with Autistic parents and their families. The briefing advocates for a neuroinclusive practice approach.
A Practice Guide and glossary of terms will be released at a later date.
The resources are for child and family social care practitioners, as well as other professionals who work directly with Autistic parents/carers and their families. Additionally, they serve as a valuable resource for supervisors and senior managers.
We would recommend to bookmark this page to return to upon the release of the Practice Guide and Glossary of terms.
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Adult mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, physical ill health and disability | Developing excellent practitioners | Promote and govern excellent practice | Purposeful and effective social work | Lead and govern excellent practice | Developing excellent practitioners | Support effective decision-making
CQC - Effective | Caring
PCF - Values and ethics | Diversity and equality | Knowledge | Intervention and skills
RCOT - Service users
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Supporting neurodivergent practitioners in your social care organisation: Video learning resources
These five short films explore how organisations can support neurodivergent practitioners to thrive and progress, and in the context of the continuing recruitment and retention crisis in social work, why it is important to do so. Examples of effective practice and challenge questions are included.
Understanding autism - a neurodiversity approach to supporting children and young people: Video learning resources
These short films explore the importance of building a positive and constructive understanding of autism so that our work with autistic children, young people and their families is collaborative, meets their individual needs and promotes their self-acceptance.
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