National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP)
Anna Freud and AT-Autism joined forces to develop and deliver a ground-breaking autism trainer programme commissioned by NHS England. Training is now fully complete with over 5,000 delegates trained to co-deliver the NATP training back in their work setting, together with a NATP trained Expert by Experience.
The NATP team continues to offer support to NATP-trained NHS staff and Experts by Experience (EbE) until the end of March 2025.
Anna Freud and AT-Autism joined forces to develop and deliver a ground-breaking autism train-the-trainer programme for NHS England. The National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) was delivered to over 5,000 trainers from 2022-2024. The course trained staff from the following settings:
adult, children and young people inpatient mental health hospitals
all age community mental health settings, including CAMHS
residential special schools and colleges
health and justice settings
The training programme was fully co-designed, co-produced and co-delivered with over 110 autistic people and promotes an experience-sensitive, trauma-informed approach. During the roll out of the programme, most trainees agreed or strongly agreed that the course was extremely informative and relevant to their role, and that trainers were engaging and knowledgeable.
The National Autism Trainer Programme is additional and complementary to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
Although training is complete, the NATP team continues to offer support to NATP-trained NHS staff and Experts by Experience (EbE) until the end of March 2025. We are accepting bookings for free and bespoke one-to-one meetings with an NATP director to discuss implementation of the training in your service. To book a meeting, please contact natp@annafreud.org. Specialist refresher days and the community of practice will also be running until March 2025.
You can find out about other Anna Freud short courses on autism or request a bespoke co-produced and co-designed training to fit your service needs in autism, ADHD or learning disabilities by emailing training@annafreud.org.
Join us online on 19 February 2025 for the NATP’s closing conference to hear real-life examples of the impact the training has had since it was rolled out. We will be joined by experts in the field of autism and mental health, and NHS National Autism Trainer Programme clinicians and EbEs who have successfully completed training and started to deliver in their setting.
Book your free conference place here.
Please explore the webpages below to learn more about the programme and its impact.
-
Why is this programme important?
Find out more about the National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) and why this programme is important.
-
Training approach
The National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) aims to train staff to Trainer level and support them to embed our approach and train staff in their own settings.
-
What will I learn?
Find out more about the National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP).
-
NATP impact case studies
Read our case studies to find out about the positive impact NATP training is having on staff working with autistic people in services.
-
Specialist refresher days and events
Find out about the NATP Conference, plus specialist refresher days to support your knowledge and skills as part of the NATP training course.
-
Experts by Experience
Learn about the roles of Experts by Experience (EbE) within NATP, and EbE training courses to deliver NATP training in services.
-
Community of practice
A community of practice will run throughout the National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP), led by our dedicated Community of Practice Lead.
-
Who is involved in the programme?
Find out more about the National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) and who is involved in the programme.
-
Stay up to date
The National Autism Trainer Programme (NATP) newsletter provides regular updates on the training programme.
Alexis Quinn, Autistic activist and author of 'Unbroken' and 'Autistic & Expecting'
“For far too long the autistic population have been marginalised for their expressions of difference and uniqueness.
We are compared unfavourably to all manner of undesirable things. At best, in my lifetime I was relentlessly bullied; at worst I was unnecessarily deprived of my liberty and assaulted in various institutions designed to care. If only people had understood my communication - my cries for help!
This training offers a neurodivergent-friendly approach to thinking about and supporting autistic people. Designed and delivered by the population it seeks to serve, it enables unique insights into autistic lives.
I have been pleased to support the work of AT-Autism and Anna Freud. Each engagement with the core management team on this programme has been a breath of fresh air - they are approachable, flexible and understanding. Most importantly I feel supported and accepted - two 'feelings' I have not been used to. As a result, I feel hopeful in our shared goals.”