Advising a national autism charity

Advising a national autism charity about a merger with a larger similar charity. The Trust was no longer able to provide services at the cost which local authorities now demand and so the only sustainable option was to merge.  The Trust provides services for young people and adults with autistic spectrum disorders or related conditions. The services include residential accommodation where needed, non-residential education, training, personal development and employment and a range of autism specific services supporting people with autistic spectrum disorders, their families and carers. It is intended that together the charities will continue to provide services to the Trust’s service users and effectively cover a wider access area. We advised the Trust in respect of the merger, which involved the Trust becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the other charity, through acquisition. This included advice on the legal formalities, Charity Commission approval and management arrangements.