This webinar focuses on addressing the critical issue of wrongful hospitalisation for neurodivergent young people. Often, misunderstandings of neurodivergent behaviours or lack of appropriate support leads to unnecessary hospitalisations, causing distress for young people and their families as well as additional trauma.

The session will cover strategies for preventing these situations, including early intervention, effective communication between caregivers and professionals, and the importance of building robust community support systems. It will also explore systemic changes needed in health, social care and education to ensure neurodivergent individuals receive the right care in the right settings.

This webinar is designed for parents, educators, health and social care professionals, and advocates, offering practical tools to reduce wrongful hospitalisation and improve outcomes for neurodivergent young people.

The latest monthly Assuring Transformation NHS Digital data shows that in February 2024:

• In total 2,045 autistic people and people with learning disabilities are in inpatient mental health hospitals in England
• 1,360 (67%) of these people are autistic
• There are 210 under 18s in inpatient units that are autistic or have a learning disability. Of these, 93% are autistic.

This is the most up-to-date record of how many autistic people and people with learning disabilities, both adults and children, are currently in inpatient units in England.

Despite some progress moving people with a learning disability out of hospital and into the community, the number of autistic people in inpatient facilities has increased. In 2015, autistic people made up 38% of the number in hospital, now it is 67%. Additionally, the number of autistic people without a learning disability detained in mental health hospitals has increased by 109% since 2015.

It is widely recognised that for most autistic people, care in an inpatient unit is rarely helpful – in fact, it can be deeply damaging.

The average length of stay is around 4.9 years and we continue to hear alarming cases of overmedication, seclusion and unnecessary restraint.

The overwhelming majority (92%) of autistic people and people with a learning disability who are detained in hospital are put there using the Mental Health Act 1983.

In June 2022 the Government published a draft bill to reform the Mental Health Act which could stop people being sectioned just because they’re autistic and make it easier for autistic people in hospitals to leave. This was a big step forward. However, the Bill was not included in the 2023 King’s Speech, meaning the Government has no plans to introduce the Bill before the next General Election.

The Government has recently responded to the Joint Committee on the Mental Health Bill’s recommendations for the draft legislation. It is now vital that the Bill is brought to Parliament where it can be debated and strengthened.

If we were to include the figures of other Neurodivergent young people, they would be much higher.

Key Objectives 

1. Understanding the current system challenges and gaps within them
2. Understanding how a robust and collaborative sufficiency agenda between sectors could prevent wrongful hospitalisation
3. Identifying the behaviours and understanding how to meet the need
4. Understanding the difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness
5. Collaborating with community partners to enhance support for Neurodivergent children and young adults
6.  Implementing strategies for delivering equitable care and ensuring healthy development across diverse populations