History and Governance

History of the Autism Alliance UK

The Autism Alliance UK was originally established in 1997, registered as Autism Network Services UK Ltd in 1998 and registered as a charity in 2005.

A review of the charity’s constitution was undertaken in 2019 to ensure that it remained fit for purpose. Following advice from the Charity Commission and the charity’s lawyers, new Articles were drafted, and a new charity registration was approved by the Commission in 2020.

As a membership charity, the Autism Alliance’s constituent charities paid an annual membership subscription and had constitutional rights including the right to vote in the election of Trustees. Constitutionally, CEOs of member organisations were their organisation’s representative and had voting rights as ‘members.’ Chairs were also able to attend meetings but did not have voting rights.

As there were no paid staff, the Autism Alliance has relied heavily on the voluntary efforts of its Trustees in carrying out its charitable activities, and the support of one of its member organisations, Autism Initiatives Group, in managing its finances and providing other corporate services and support.

However, during the Covid pandemic in 2020/21, there was considerable pressure on constituent charities and increasing concern about maintaining the Autism Alliance as an independent charity without the dedicated infrastructure to support this. As a result, the Board concluded that the Alliance should be restructured as a Partnership Board under the auspices of one of its member charities. The members approved a special resolution to this effect in February 2021 and the charity was then removed from the Charity Commission register.

Governance of the Autism Alliance UK

Now for the first time, the Autism Alliance has a dedicated team to take forward its mission, beginning with the recruitment of a Director in October 2022, followed by a Communications and Member Services Lead in November 2023.

It has de-registered as a charity to allow the team to focus on its core objectives. In time, the Alliance may seek charity re-registration.

The Alliance team is employed by the largest not-for-profit organisation member (Autism Initiatives Group) and supported by a Partnership Board.

The commitment to collaboration remains ‘hardwired’ into the Autism Alliance’s governance and operation, and the Alliance continues to:

  • operate as a collaborative network of member organisations who sign up to its mission, vision and values and pay an annual membership subscription

  • be led by a board that includes a majority of CEOs drawn from and elected by member organisations – called the Partnership Board

  • be supported by a member charity (called the ‘host charity’) which provides financial and other corporate services: Autism Initiatives Group.

However, the key differences are that:

  • the Autism Alliance is no longer a charity nor a separate legal entity

  • members of the Autism Alliance include both autism specific charities and other autism specific not for profit organisations

  • the host charity carries all contractual and legal responsibility for the Autism Alliance and its CEO is therefore a standing member of the Partnership Board.

  • the Partnership Board comprises a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 board members including a minority of independent people to enable the Board to broaden its skills and diversity

  • a written agreement formalises the relationship between the Autism Alliance and the host charity and includes provision for employment of dedicated staff.

Partnership Board

This comprises CEOs from six of the member organisations.

These currently are:

  • Jolanta Lasota (Chair), Ambitious about Autism.

  • Dr James Cusack, Autistica.

  • John Phillipson, North East Autism Society.

  • Andy Grainger, Autism Initiatives Group.

  • Christine Edwards Daem, Kent Autistic Trust.

  • Robert Shanahan, Aspens Charities.