Agenda item

This report updates members of the Health and Wellbeing Board on:

·  The re- establishment of a B&NES wide, all-age (children’s and adults) Autism Partnership and progress made since the last update to the Board.

·  Outline work taking place at a locality level in B&NES to review and update the B&NES Autism Strategy and improve local provision.

·  The work planned across the B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG footprint through the Learning Disability and Autism Transformation Board.

Rebecca Potter – 11am – 25 minutes

The Board received a report which gave an update on:

·  The re-establishment of a B&NES wide, all-age (children’s and adults) Autism Partnership and progress made since the last update to the Board.

·  Work taking place at a locality level in B&NES to review and update the B&NES Autism Strategy and to improve local provision.

·  The work planned across the B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG footprint through the Learning Disability and Autism Transformation Board.

Rebecca Potter, Commissioning Manager, gave a presentation which covered the following issues:

·  How the recommendations in the report contribute to the aims of the B&NES Corporate Strategy.

·  Legislation and Statutory Guidance.

·  The 2019 NHS Long Term Plan contains a commitment to do more across the NHS “to ensure that all people with a learning disability, autism, or both can live happier, healthier, longer lives”

·  The vision is that everyone with autism, whether living, working or visiting B&NES will have the opportunity to ‘choose’ the life they want to live.  B&NES will support this by building an inclusive community that understands.

·  Values and principles.

·  Progress made on the reduction of waiting times, engagement, promotion of reasonable adjustments, the ambassadors for autism scheme and the clarification of mental health pathways for autistic adults.

·  The priorities of the B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire Operating Plan.

·  Needs profile and trends.

·  Services available for children, young people and adults with autism.

·  Priority 1 – Joined up commissioning and delivery.

·  Priority 2 – Improving access to diagnosis and post-diagnosis support.

·  Priority 3 – Getting the right support at the right time.

·  Priority 4 – Increasing awareness and understanding of autism across the whole community.

·  Next steps.

It was noted that virtual services, which have been provided during the Covid-19 pandemic, have worked very well for some people with autism.  However, for others the change in routine has been difficult.  It will be important to capture the positive innovations that have been used during this time as some service users have appreciated the opportunity to meet virtually.

The numbers of people referred for diagnosis is increasing.  In 2018 294 people were referred and in 2019 this rose to 351. 

Cllr Rob Appleyard thanked officers for all the work that has gone into this report and for the hard work that is being carried out in this service area.

It was noted that the terms of reference for the group gave details of its membership.

Sara Gallagher stated that there had been a 30% increase in the amount of Bath Spa University students who were on the autistic spectrum.  She would welcome the opportunity for someone from the University to contribute to this work.  Rebecca Potter agreed to follow up this request. 

In response to a query from Cllr Rob Appleyard regarding the length of time taken to carry out assessments, Rebecca Potter explained that the process involved a multi-agency approach.  There were some capacity issues but the provision of a diagnosis is a complex piece of work which takes time.  She confirmed that the process is reviewed regularly but that this must adhere to the guidelines prescribed by NICE. (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).

A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(1)  To note the content of the report and progress made in many areas since the last report to the Board in January 2019.

(2)  To agree the proposal to adopt the Ambassadors for Autism Scheme in B&NES.