Agenda item

Laura Westwood, Lead Commissioner,  explained that she was asking the Board to endorse the process for developing a new strategy; to ensure the system was engaged with the process for an all-age strategy across the ICS; and to ensure appropriate officers were engaged. There was a National Autism Strategy based on the Autism Act which had been updated last year, and the local strategy needed to be updated in line with it. The local strategy was looking at the six priorities in the National Strategy.

It was felt there was already good co-production across the ICS with the Autism Partnerships groups and Leads for the different priorities had been identified from across the system, not just from Adult Social Care. An additional priority to the six national ones had been suggested by people with autism, which was keeping safe.

The process was just beginning with issues being identified such as what questions needed to be asked, who needed to be involved, and how people should be engaged. It was planned that there would be a draft strategy in March/April 2023.

Board Members welcomed the development of the strategy and District Councillors felt that more could be done for families with autistic children with the DFG.

It was queried how open schools were to children with SEND as there appeared to be some resistance even though it was believed that it was better for children with autism to attend mainstream schools where possible, as well as being good for the other pupils in the school. It was replied that the All Age Disability Strategy was looking at that issue in more detail.

In response to a query about whether the strategy would cover those who had a diagnosis of autism or whether it would be available to those who self identify as being neuro diverse it was stated that it would depend on the services in question. The strategy would be all encompassing but some of the funding which had come from Government was specifically linked to those with a diagnosis.

It was clarified that support for families and carers was included in most areas of the strategy, although less so in the criminal justice area. There was still work to do on what each area would include. It was agreed that there should also be reference to the Carers Strategy.

When asked whether the strategy would be standalone or sit withing the HWB or ICS strategies it was explained that a strategic planning framework was being designed to ensure that all strategies were captured and similar areas of work would be identified to ensure they work together.

RESOLVED that The Health and Well-being Board:

a)  endorsed that an updated All Age Autism Strategy is produced (2023- 2026) across the Integrated Care System (ICS) footprint to reflect the partnership and strategic approach across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with place-based elements;

b)  endorsed the strong all age approach of the Autism Strategy;

c)  ensured appropriate officers, with decision making responsibility, across all organisations, participate and engage in the workstreams to shape and design the recommendations within the new strategy; and

d)  receive a further report at a future meeting of the Board as part of the sign off process for the Autism Strategy; and support its delivery by signing off the implementation plan.