Supported Services Referral Process & Eligibility

Referring a young adult to your services is as easy as 1, 2, 3

How It Works

1. Referral Form

Complete the referral form to refer yourself or your young person for any of our services.

  • Only referrals received via our online form will be considered

  • If you are a Social Worker/Professional, please use the referral form

2. Assessment

All referrals are assessed based on our service eligibility criteria*.

If eligible, we will be in touch to arrange an in-person assessment.

*eligibility criteria detailed below

3. Join Edge

If eligible, your young person will be invited to join Edge.

Who is eligible for Edge’s Services?

While some of Edge Group Scotland’s supported services have specific eligibility criteria, ALL young people who engage with any of the services we offer must meet the minimum criteria outlined below.

All young people joining our services must:

  • Be over 16 years old

  • Be Autistic and/or have Additional Support Needs (ASN)

  • Be able to attend to their own personal care and take their own medication

  • Be self-ambulatory

  • Be able to verbally communicate

  • Be involved in their own planning process and want to plan their individual future

  • Be eligible for funding through their local social work department or have funding in place (SDS or Self-funding)

Please visit the programme-specific pages for more information regarding specific eligibility criteria for each programme.

Programme information: Transitions Programme | Life Programme

Applications for any Edge service can ONLY be accepted via our online referral form.

Why Choose Edge?

At Edge Group Scotland, we don’t just talk about quality—we evidence it. We are a fully regulated, professionally staffed and values-driven organisation that delivers consistent, person-centred support for autistic individuals and those with additional support needs. Whether you're a professional making a referral or a family planning next steps, you can trust that our approach is safe, skilled, and rooted in real expertise.

  • Edge Group Scotland is registered and regulated by the Care Inspectorate Scotland as a supported day service, alongside our existing registration for support at home. This means our delivery is held to the highest standards of safety, quality, and professionalism—fully aligned with the Health and Social Care Standards. Our work is externally inspected, transparent, and accountable.

  • All of our client-facing staff are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), ensuring compliance with national professional standards and a robust code of practice. This offers clear reassurance that our team is properly qualified, regulated, and committed to ethical, skilled support for the individuals and families we work with.

  • Our client-facing team includes experienced practitioners who specialise in supporting autistic individuals and those with additional support needs. Every staff member receives regular safeguarding training, works within a trauma-informed practice model, and either holds or is working towards an SVQ in Health and Social Care. Continuous learning and development are central to the high quality of care we provide.

  • We are grounded in honesty and transparency. Everything we do—from how we speak to families, to how we plan support—is guided by our core values. We don’t overpromise or underdeliver. We show up consistently, act with integrity, and always put the needs of the individual at the centre of decision-making.

  • We are based in Musselburgh and committed to supporting local young people with autism and additional support needs. Our structured, autism-informed programmes are built to motivate progress, nurture independence, and support smooth transitions into adulthood—while staying rooted in community and connection.

  • We support the whole person—not just their diagnosis. Our practice considers each individual’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Whether we're supporting independent living, travel training, or mental health, our approach is always tailored, respectful, and focused on helping individuals thrive in their own way.

Types of Onboarding

We work closely with several local authorities and appreciate they all operate in slightly different ways. As such, we are happy to be flexible in our approach and work with them to ensure a smooth onboarding process for all young adults using our services.

Social Work Referrals

We work closely with and accept referrals from, the following local authorities East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, The Scottish Borders and West Lothian.
Our support services catchment area is reflective of this with some geographical restrictions in place.

Self Directed Support

Self Directed Support, or SDS, is available to those who have had an assessment by their local authority and are deemed to require additional support to enable them to become independent and lead a fulfilling life through informed decision-making and fully supported experiences.

Contracts need to be in place before services from Edge Group Scotland are commissioned and a young adult is onboarded for support of any kind.

A contract is an agreement between the funding authority (local authority e.g., East Lothian), the service provider (Us/Edge Group Scotland Ltd) and the supported young adult.

Support Services from Edge