For funders and grant-makers
Fund free Court of Protection support for families
Autizma built this guide from lived experience. Everything families and P need stays free, forever. Grant funding keeps it that way, keeps it accurate as the law changes, and takes it to the families who need it most.
When a disabled or unwell person cannot make a particular decision, the Court of Protection decides. Families are suddenly expected to understand capacity law, court forms, evidence rules and hearing etiquette — usually at the worst moment of their lives, often with no legal aid and no solicitor.
The result is late applications, rejected forms, emotional statements that damage the family's case, and decisions about P made without the people who know P best.
- Parents and unpaid carers of autistic people and people with a learning disability.
- Family members facing deputyship, DoLS, section 21A or placement change proceedings.
- P themselves, through the Easy Read guide and read-aloud support.
- Advocates, IMCAs and RPRs supporting families with very little time.
- Under-served communities — the guide covers 14 languages used in the UK plus Cymraeg.
Families supported
Parents, siblings and unpaid carers navigating deputyship, placement disputes and capacity disagreements without a solicitor.
Hours saved
Guided forms, statement wizards and bundle tools replace weeks of trial-and-error and repeated, rejected applications.
Better applications
Clearer, fact-based statements that keep P at the centre reduce wasted hearings and adjournments for the court.
Fewer crises
Early alternatives — best-interests meetings, complaints, mediation — resolve issues before they need a court.
We report anonymous, aggregate usage only. Family notes, drafts and case details never leave the person's own device, so nothing about P is ever shared with a funder.
£5,000 — Pilot
Translation and Easy Read review for one region, plus printed packs for two family support groups.
£15,000 — Sustain
One year of hosting, content updates as law and forms change, and a part-time family helpline session each week.
£40,000 — Scale
A part-time coordinator, co-production workshops with families and P, independent evaluation and outreach across all four UK nations plus Ireland.
We also earn modest trading income from professional directory listings, advocate workspaces and legal-team licences. That income subsidises the free family service — grant funding covers what trading income cannot yet reach.
- Tell us which programme and deadline you have in mind, using the form below.
- We send the full proposal, budget breakdown and safeguarding and data policies.
- We arrange a short call, with a family co-producer present where you would like one.
- We agree reporting milestones and an independent evaluation approach.
We store only what you type here so we can reply. Please do not include anything about P or any other private family detail.