Agenda item

All-Age Autism Strategy for Lincolnshire 2015 - 2018

(To receive a report which provides the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to consider a report on the All-Age Autism Strategy for Lincolnshire 2015-2018 which is due to be considered by the Executive on 3 February 2015)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which invited the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider a report on the All-Age Autism Strategy for Lincolnshire 2015-2018 which was due to be considered by the Executive on 3 February 2015.

 

The Draft Lincolnshire All-Age Autism Strategy had been developed in response to the Government's national strategy for adults with autism – 'Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives' which was published in 2010.  A recent refresh of the national strategy, Think Autism, was published in 2014 and put a focus on the need for more autism friendly communities.  In response to the national strategy, a 3 month consultation was carried out in Lincolnshire to help inform the development of an adults' autism strategy for Lincolnshire.  Analysis of the feedback revealed a number of key themes including one area of repeated discussion, which was the transition from children's to adults' services.  It was recognised that this transition could often be a difficult time for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and so a decision was taken to develop an all-age autism strategy.

 

It was also reported that an independent review of the services in Lincolnshire for individuals with autism was jointly commissioned by the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) and the Children's Services management team during 2014.

 

It was reported that an action plan had been developed which incorporated four key strategic programmes to deliver the Autism Strategy with underpinning measurable objectives.  The action plan would be overseen by the Autism Partnership Board which would take a leadership role and would be accountable for the delivery of the plan.  Work was still being undertaken to develop and strengthen the Autism Partnership Board, including a review of the membership.  The Strategy would be formally launched in Spring 2015.

 

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was queried whether it was known how many people there were in Lincolnshire who required additional help, and also how many people there were with spectrum disorders who did not require any additional help.  It was thought that there were 4237 people in Lincolnshire with some level of autism, and the prevalence data from the review of children and young people projected that there would be approximately 1800 children and young people in the county with autism.  However, it would be difficult to provide an exact number as it was a spectrum disorder and so people had different levels of need;

·         It was clarified that an 'autism friendly society' was about awareness raising and training, and organisations making reasonable adjustments.  There was a need to raise understanding of autism, especially among partners, as they may only need to make minor changes but they could have a big benefit to people with autism;

·         Young people who were 16/17 years old and were at risk of homelessness regardless of whether they had autism would trigger a Team Around the Child (TAC).  It was noted that it was not a different pathway if a young person had autism;

·         It was welcomed that the work done with the Children's Review was being incorporated into the All-Age Autism Strategy;

·         There were high functioning young people with autism who did not receive as much support, but for those at the other end of the scale there was a lot of knowledge and support available;

·         It was noted that there were some young people with autism who had mental health issues, but these were often attributed to Autism and so did not receive mental health services.  There were concerns that these young people would slip through the net;

·         It was queried what the nature of the consultation with people with autism themselves had been and members were advised that as part of the engagement, the Autism Involvement Group was formed which was comprised of people of all ages with autism who agreed to take part in the consultation.  Engagement was through a variety of different methods;

·         Members were very pleased to read this report, and commented that it was excellent;

·         It was commented that a diagnosis of autism was of great help to some families.  Concerns were raised regarding what would happen when a young person reached the end of their education, and also that it was important to raise awareness as many people did not have first-hand experience of someone on the autism spectrum;

·         If awareness of autism could be promoted, then people may notice traits within family members, and it could be ensured that services and support was available if a diagnosis was received;

·         Members were informed that support to young people with autism would not stop when they reached the end of their education,  although support could be in place until the age of 25 under the SEND reforms, in order to prepare the young person for adulthood;

·         It was queried what publicity was planned to raise awareness of autism and this strategy.  It was suggested that things were typical to autism should be highlighted, as some young people could be being held back due to a lack of diagnosis or understanding.  One of the key events would be the launch of the formal Strategy which was planned for 2 April 2015, to coincide with World Autism Day;

·         Officers commented that they were happy to receive any suggestions from members on ways to promote the Strategy;

·         It was suggested that there was a need for some of the timescale's on the action plan to be revised, as there were 14 actions listed for completion in March 2016, and it was thought that this was ambitious.  Members were advised that the action plan would be reviewed by the Partnership Board on an annual basis.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee support the recommendations as set out in the Executive report.

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
dot

Original Text: