Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of families in England who care for one or more autistic children; and the proportion of these needing additional care and support to ensure that their child can continue to live at home.
This specific estimate has not been made. However, the Department for Education does hold data on the number of children that local authorities report as being autistic and who are receiving support via an education, health, and care plan or a Children in Need plan.
Local authorities have statutory duties to support certain groups of children in their area. Under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, local authorities are under a general duty to provide support for children who are unlikely to reach or maintain a satisfactory level of health or development, or if their health or development will be significantly impaired without the provision of services, or if the child is disabled.
As a general duty, there is flexibility for local authorities to deliver a range of services based on their own specific circumstances and understanding of local needs.