Agenda item

To receive an update on the Autism Strategy.

Wesley Hedger, Assistant Director; Adult Social Care Strategy, Commissioning and Performance, provided an update on the Autism Strategy.

·       The Council had a duty around the Autism Strategy to produce a commissioning plan. 

·       Covid and the pressures that this had caused, and the guidance issued by Central Government in 2021 around the Autism Strategy approach and desire to have an all age strategy, had changed the way the Council was approaching the development of the Strategy.

·       The Council was now moving towards the development of an Autism Strategy.

·       A permanent Commissioning Lead for Autism had been appointed in October 2022, and she was starting to develop the way forward.  There was an ambition to work with health to create a joint approach. 

·       A gap in the previous strategy was that it focused primarily on Adults Services, whereas the new strategy would cover all ages, across Children’s and Adult Services.  There was a commitment from these services to deliver this.

·       Timescales for delivery were highlighted.  Wesley Hedger indicated that the Strategy would be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.  It was intended that the draft would be produced in June and taken to Executive in September.

·       Members were asked about the current approach and were informed that it was very much working with the Voluntary Sector around the a joint offer and approach.  The Commissioning Lead for Autism had been appointed in consultation with the Voluntary Sector.  An Autism Alliance was being created to bring people together and would also support a delivery action plan.

·       Members questioned when the Committee could consider the draft Strategy and meet the new Commissioning Lead Autism.  Wesley Hedger indicated that it could be presented at the Committee’s July meeting, and that he would arrange a meeting with the Officer.

·       Members were pleased to note the all age approach that would be taken.

·       Members questioned what outcome the Strategy would have and the difference those with autism and their families may see.  Wesley Hedger responded that an action plan would be developed with the Autism Alliance.  The whole system commitment and desire for co-production was beneficial.  A Member went on to ask whether there were examples of best practices in terms of autism strategies that Wokingham could learn from.  Wesley Hedger emphasised a more consistent approach would be created.  There was currently a divide between children and adults’ provision.  The transition to adulthood was currently quite disjointed and the process would become smoother.

·       A Member commented that the Committee had had the Autism Strategy on its work programme for some time.  She questioned whether Members could have sight of the previous draft version produced in 2021, to ascertain direction of travel.  Wesley Hedger indicated that this version had not been completed and had not been signed off because it had not had an all age approach.  It had taken some time to get to the current position, for a number of reasons, such as resourcing.  During the pandemic many staff had been diverted to help respond to Covid.  Now that a permanent officer was in place, he expected that progress would be made in a timely fashion.

·       The Committee questioned how engagement would be carried out with those with autism, and how these people were identified.  Wesley Hedger indicated that the Autism Alliance would be used to engage individuals who were accessing services through the voluntary sector.  Use would also be made of the Social Care Futures programme.  A key part of the Strategy would be to build on what had been done before.

·       In response to a Member question as to whether individuals’ views had been sought in addition to groups that supported those with autism, and if use had been made of the Council’s Communications Team, Wesley Hedger indicated that some engagement had been carried out.  He agreed to provide information as to the number of people who had been engaged with regarding the Strategy process.

·       Members queried if schools would be part of the engagement process and emphasised the importance of their involvement in the process, given the impact that supporting children with additional needs had on schools.  Wesley Hedger confirmed that they would, as would SEND Voices Wokingham. 

·       The development of the Strategy would be carried out in partnership with Children’s Services and there was an Assistant Director lead within Children’s Services.

·       Members noted that the Strategy would run for three years, and questioned whether there would be a supporting budget.  They were informed that there was a pot of money attached to the Strategy related to co-production of approximately £5,000.

·       A Member stated that the Strategy may help to identify those with autism who had not been previously been diagnosed, and asked how this would be budgeted for.  Wesley Hedger emphasised that as the smart action plan was progressed the level of required investment would be better understood.

RESOLVED: That

1)    Wesley Hedger be thanked for his presentation.

2)    The draft Autism Strategy be presented to the Committee’s July meeting.