Dave Thomas: 'Why we are backing World Autism Day'

Earlier this year, in January, I had the pleasure of attending the Torbay Autism Partnership Board. 

It was an inspiring session, full of passion, insight and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of autistic people across our Bay. 

I made a conscious decision at the time to return to this subject, and with World Autism Awareness Day taking place today, April 2, now feels exactly the right moment.

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that affects how people communicate, interact and experience the world around them. It is important to remember that autism is a spectrum. 

Every autistic person is different, with their own strengths, challenges and perspectives. For some, everyday situations can feel overwhelming, while for others, autism brings unique skills, focus and creativity that enrich our communities.

World Autism Awareness Day was established by the United Nations in 2007 and is marked every year on April 2. It is a global moment to raise awareness, improve understanding and promote the rights, inclusion and full participation of autistic people in society. Importantly, the day is not just about awareness, but about acceptance and action. 

It is about recognising barriers, challenging stigma and ensuring everyone can live a full and meaningful life. This year’s theme, Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value, reinforces that message.

Here in Torbay, we are proud of the work taking place to support autistic residents. In December 2024, we co-produced the Torbay Adult Autism Strategy alongside our Autism Partnership Board and Autism Ambassadors, ensuring lived experience sits at the heart of our approach. 

The Autism Partnership Board brings together organisations, professionals and autistic people themselves to shape local services. Autism Ambassadors play a vital role, making sure real voices are heard in decision making. Seeing that in action at the January meeting was both reassuring and motivating.

Alongside the strategy, our adult social care teams are working with Ambassadors on a detailed action plan, due to be finalised this summer. A key focus is improving awareness and understanding of autism, helping to build a more inclusive Torbay. There is also practical help available. 

The Torbay Leisure Card offers discounted access to local activities for those with an autism alert card, helping people stay active and connected. The Autism Ambassadors have also developed a clear guide to local support, making it easier for individuals and families to find help.

If you would like to learn more, I would encourage you to visit the Autism Partnership Board pages on the council website. I would also recommend watching Zac’s story, one of our Autism Ambassadors, who speaks powerfully about his experiences and the support available in Torbay. (Torbay Council YouTube Channel)

This work is about more than services. It is about helping people feel supported and secure in their everyday lives. That sense of security is important in many ways, including the place people call home, which is why I also want to use the remaining space to highlight some upcoming national changes to the private rented sector.

Private renting is set to undergo the biggest legal changes in more than 40 years, as the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force in England on May 1, 2026.

One of the main changes is the removal of Section 21 no fault evictions. From May, landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without a specific reason. All tenancies will move to rolling agreements, meaning tenants can remain unless notice is served on defined legal grounds.

New rules will also apply to rent. Increases will be limited to once per year and must reflect the market rate, with tenants able to challenge rises. Rental bidding will end, and advance rent payments will be limited to one month. There are also changes relating to access to housing. It will be unlawful to refuse tenants simply because they have children or receive benefits, and landlords must give a reason if refusing a pet.

Landlords will still be able to regain possession where there are clear legal grounds, such as selling, moving in, or dealing with serious issues like rent arrears or anti-social behaviour. Further reforms are planned from late 2026, including a national Private Rented Sector Database and a Private Landlord Ombudsman, providing a simpler route to resolve disputes.

For Torbay, these changes are particularly relevant, with just over a quarter of homes privately rented. The Council has a legal responsibility to oversee and enforce these new requirements. As these changes are introduced, our role will be to ensure the new framework is understood and applied fairly across the Bay. Because ultimately, whether we are talking about inclusion, understanding or the security of a home, the principle is the same. 

Building a Torbay where people feel supported, treated fairly and able to live their lives with confidence.