Summer Scheme
Our Summer Activity Schemes in Bedford and Luton provided a rich mix of onsite and community-based experiences tailored for autistic children and young people aged 3 to 17 across Bedfordshire. Each scheme was carefully developed to reflect and respond to the diverse needs, interests, age ranges, and abilities of its participants, ensuring an inclusive and engaging environment for all.
View our Summer Scheme 2025 report here
Summer Scheme 2026
The form will go live at 3pm on Saturday 21st February 2026.
Parent/carers are to use this form to select which scheme and dates they would like their young person to attend.
Date requests will be confirmed via e-mail within the next 4 weeks.
Types of Summer Schemes
All of our activity schemes provide a wide range of appropriate and engaging social, play and sporting activities including sand and water play, art and crafts, bouncy castles, swimming and visits to popular outdoor activity venues.
If you have any questions or are unsure which group would be most suitable for your child, then please contact a member of the Children’s Services Team in the office on (01234) 214871.
Junior Activity Scheme
For autistic children aged 3-9 years old. We provide 1:1 and occasionally 2:1 where necessary, supporting up to 20 children each day.
Holiday Club
For autistic young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties needs between 10-17 years old. We provide 1:1 and 2:1 where necessary, supporting up to 18 young people each day.
Summer Fun
For autistic young people with lower support needs (accessing mainstream education) between 10-17 years old. Ratio of support is approximately 1:4. We provide support for up to 10 young people each day.
Our Ofsted Rating
Both Luton and Bedford Junior Activity Schemes have been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted (Luton 2023 & Bedford 2019).
In 2019, a full inspection took place at the Bedford Junior Activity Scheme based at Wootton Lower School and the scheme was graded as Outstanding. Read the full report here.
In 2023, the Luton Junior Activity Scheme, based at Richmond Hill School, was also graded as Outstanding by Ofsted. Read the full report here.
FAQ
Where – Microsoft Forms; link will be available via e-mail, on Facebook/Instagram and on the website.
When – 3pm on Saturday 21st February 2026.
How – Open Microsoft Forms link, fill in your details, select scheme and dates you would like your child/young person to attend, and submit.
Cost – £25 per day, per child. Please note each applicant can apply for one full week of scheme, however depending on the demand we may not be able to offer all dates if requested.
The Summer Activity Scheme 2026 will run between Monday 27th July and Friday 7th August 2026.
Date Request Forms will go live at 3pm on Saturday 21st February.
Please note: We have been oversubscribed for the past 7 years, and so we may not be able to allocate all days you have asked for. We operate on a first come, first served basis to allocate spaces to our families. Once a scheme is full, remaining applicants will be added to a waitlist.
On Friday 20th February, you will receive an email containing a link to Microsoft Forms which is where you will fill in the Summer Scheme Date Request form. This link will be accessible from 3pm on Saturday 21st February for you to complete and submit. The form cannot be accessed before this time. You might like to set an alarm on the day to remind you of this.
If for any reason you do not receive an email, the link to the form will also be available on our website, as well as on our social media. The form can be filled out on a mobile device/laptop/tablet and submitted, so it does not need to be printed out.
- A form needs to be completed per child attending the scheme. Attendees from the same family will be allocated based on the time the first form is submitted.
- You will receive an acknowledgment of your submission on your screen once you have completed the form.
- You will receive confirmation of the dates we are able to offer within 4 weeks of your submission, including instructions on how to pay.
If you have difficulties accessing online bookings, please contact us on 01234 214871 or by e-mail via summerscheme@autismbeds.org
An invoice for the balance to pay will be sent to you. This can be paid via bank transfer, over the phone of by cheque. We are also able to accept direct payments, however please contact us to confirm details. This invoice may also include a membership fee of £20.00 for those who are not already members.
Information about the registration form you will need to complete for your child/ren so we can best support them on scheme (including medical info, communication needs and likes/ dislikes
No Summer Scheme Deposit Payments are required when requesting dates now, an invoice will be sent to you
When making payments over the phone, please select OPTION 1 for Children’s Services and our team will be happy to help!
Please note: your child/ren’s summer scheme days cannot be fully confirmed until payment and a completed registration form has been received.