To approve the Herefordshire Autism Strategy 2019 – 2022.

The cabinet member children and families introduced the item, supported by the senior commissioning officer and head of additional needs. It was noted that:

·         the strategy was overarching across both children and adults services;

·         the strategy had been conceived in 2014 and was not a statutory requirement but was an important document that supported activities to improve outcomes for those living with autism;

·         the strategy would be embedded in the children and young people’s plan but was an all age strategy with a focus on consistency, continuity and a seamless transition into adult life;

·         an important part of the strategy was to raise awareness and improvements had been noted in many areas;

·         early diagnosis remained important and could improve outcomes with earlier intervention and support;

·         partner organisations such as the CCG were also committed to the strategy and looking to embed its objectives and pathways in normal business practice;

·         much of the initial work would be aspirational, there were many community groups who were very positive about engaging with the strategy but required guidance on how to deliver it, this would be part of the next stage of implementation.

The chair of the children and young people scrutiny committee gave feedback from the consideration of the strategy at a meeting of the scrutiny committee in April 2018. The committee had recommended, among other things, that new public buildings and revisions to existing public buildings should take into account good practice in design, lighting and colour schemes to be sympathetic to the needs of those with autism. Changes to layout could be disorientating and partners such as libraries should be made aware.

A cabinet member spoke of personal experience with a family member and the importance of an early diagnosis and support in school in enabling them to thrive.

Group leaders were invited to present the views of their groups. It was stated that:

·         keeping people safe was an important priority, there had been a rise in the number of hate crimes reported in Hereford which was concerning and many people with autism did not feel safe or confident in public;

·         links between primary and secondary education were important to make sure information was shared as pupils transferred;

·         it was noted that a programme of awareness training for schools was being rolled out.

Resolved that:

a)    the Herefordshire Autism Strategy 2019-2022 be approved; and

b)    the executive’s response to the recommendations of the children and young people scrutiny committee at appendix 4 be approved.

To preview the draft autism strategy before it is presented to the cabinet for approval. The committee is asked to agree recommendations and comments to submit to the cabinet member health and wellbeing for consideration during the finalisation of the strategy.

The Committee was invited to preview the draft autism strategy before it was presented to the cabinet for approval, and asked to agree recommendations for consideration during the finalisation of the strategy.  

The Chairman welcomed all in attendance including witnesses for the autism strategy.

The HAN gave a presentation, as included with the agenda papers.  The ACCSM added that the strategy was in draft.  Work was ongoing to develop support services in conjunction with the CCG.

The following witnesses were then invited to speak:  Debbie Hobbs, Branch Chair, National Autistic Society – Herefordshire Branch, Nikki Pitt, Chair of the Herefordshire Autism Partnership Board and Jade Brooks, Deputy Director of Operations, Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

In summary they made the following principal observations:

Debbie Hobbs (DH)

She requested that the action plan be amended to contain 6 monthly outcomes over the three year life of the strategy to bring it in line with the national strategy. She also outlined the work of the branch and the aim to address the issues that were brought daily to their attention.

Nikki Pitt (NP)

She commented on behalf of the Board and also as a person on the autistic spectrum herself whose son also had autism. She outlined the work of the Board and highlighted the role it might play in relation to contributing to the delivery of the strategy and monitoring progress against the action plan, noting that some actions were the responsibility of the Board itself.

Jade Brooks (JB)

She reported that the CCG supported the strategy and the action plan and was mindful of the accountability to the Partnership Board.   She commented that it was important that the strategy was not seen simply as a diagnostic assessment process but rather that it involved ensuring a wider awareness of all staff and the general public of the health inequalities experienced by those with autism.

Adults and Wellbeing

The IDAW commented on the work being undertaken within the directorate that linked to the strategy. He remarked that there had been a change in approach to focus on need rather than diagnosis enabling teams to offer more effective support.

Discussion

In the committee’s discussion the following principal points were made:

·         It was suggested that that the action plan should include milestones to allow progress towards achieving outcomes to be effectively monitored to ensure that the action plan was on track.  The ACCSM agreed that this would be a sound approach.

·         In response to a question about the achievability of action plan priority 4 – action d -– ‘Develop and enhance opportunities to local employment services’, the ACCSM commented that further work needed to be undertaken on this aspect including how the council could support training and employment.

·         It was asked what impact the increase in autism, as recorded in the school censuses, had upon commissioned places in the school system?

The HAN replied that the vast majority of pupils would have their needs met in mainstream schools so the recorded increase in autism  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46