Extension agreed for autism services in North Northants

Diamond Day Centre in Irthlingborough was one of the services run by NAS that was set to close

An agreement has been reached to postpone the closure of autism services for adults across a district.

Families told the BBC they would lose a lifeline if specialist services stopped in North Northamptonshire.

Facilities at risk included a day centre in Irthlingborough, supported living and an outreach service.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) described an agreement to extend the services by six months as "excellent news".

Families were told last month the services would close in November.

The NAS said demand for support was going up but funding was not keeping pace.

West and North Northamptonshire Councils both said the charity had asked for more money "without clear justification".

As a result, the Diamond Day Centre in Irthlingborough, the residential and supported living services, including Heath Rise and Sheep Street in Wellingborough, and the Northants Outreach Service were scheduled to close in November.

Representatives from North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) have now met the National Autistic Society and agreed a six-month extension to the services provided in the area.

The idea is to allow both parties to find a long-term solution for services in North Northamptonshire.

NNC said it would work with service users and their families to identify the most suitable way forward.

Diane Jones and her son Elliott have been using the Diamond Day Centre in Irthlingborough for seven years

Jason Smithers, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said: "Our priority has always been those who use these services and their families and to ensure they are receiving the right care in the appropriate setting.

"So I am pleased that we will be working closely with those impacted to identify the most suitable route forward and that the process is a positive and smooth one."

The National Autistic Society said it was delighted an agreement had been reached

Steven Rose, the managing director of adult services at the National Autistic Society, said: "We are delighted that we have reached an agreement with North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) to continue to deliver care for the people we support for another six months.

"We remain sorry that the people we support, their families and our staff had to go through the process of cancelling contracts and issuing notice to close the services, but sadly we had been left with no choice.

"We do not underestimate the distress this has caused the people we support and their families."