Agenda item

The report introduces the Adults Autism Strategy, Changing Lives: Shaping our Autism journey together 2021-2024.

7.1       The Committee received a report on the WCC Autism Strategy Bernie Flaherty (Bi Borough Executive Director of Adults) presented the Autism Strategy and report

7.2       The Committee discussed the following topics in detail:

•           The need for concrete commitments, levels of funding and the accuracy of the statistics presented in the strategy

•           The action plan for how the council would achieve the statements and description detailed in the strategy

•           How the Council will ensure social value is embedded in the strategy

•           Ensuring the continuing work with that service users

7.3       Emma Colverd (Founder and manager of Safe Haven Basketball) was invited to comment and ask questions.  Ms Colverd welcomed the strategy, she felt that it was very thorough and cover the main factors.  She wanted to make two points, the first was that the delivery of the strategy should be as good as the strategy itself and she queried how and what measures would be put in place to set expectations, targets and monitor performance and outcomes.  Ms Colverd also suggested the use of secret shoppers, to establish user experiences for people with autism.  Ms Colverd advised the Committee that she was concerned that the Autism strategy may become less important, and possibility shelved after the elections in May.

7.4       The Committee welcomed the repot and thought that it was very interesting and appreciated the case studies presented.  The Committee found the presentation of the report difficult to read.  The Committee felt that the report was very good at describing the problems, however in terms of actions and commitments, there was very little concrete commitment.  The Committee also felt that there was no real commitment to funding, just a mention of £50,000 for solving the issues with IEPT at the very end of the report.  The Committee noted that the graphs (P.42) suggested that the numbers would increase and then decrease, the Committee felt that there was no evidence to support this and queried the accuracy of the data.

7.5       Responding to the queries, Bernie Flaherty advised the Committee that regarding performance, the council needed to take a deeper look, as it was not clear.  She also added that there were wider issues to consider, i.e., diagnoses rate, which was many times lower than what it should be and businesses doing more to support outcomes.  Ms Flaherty advised the Committee that the data nationally was very poor, and the council was working with health colleagues to try and establish baseline data.  The Committee noted that other issues like poor access to mental health and support were key and required specific actions to tackle these issues.

7.6       Gareth Wall advised the Committee that this was a strategy with high level aims and ambitions set out by residents and service users.  He advised that detailing the action is the that would happen next.  He added that each of the seven pillars had a group assigned to it, working on four areas, ‘what’s going well’, ‘were to focus, ‘how to improve’ and ‘how will we know it’s better’.  He advised the Committee that detailed actions will be developed as a result of this work.

7.7       The Committee sought further details on the workflow stream relating to social value and compared this to the structure established in France.  Gareth Wall informed the Committee that the council can use leverage through social value and procurement exercises to require and assess organisations that would offer internships, apprenticeships, and jobs etc. as part of their bid.  The Committee queried the poor national data and noted that it would have like to have seen more information on improved diagnoses or changes in the population or specific factors so that there is a better understanding.  The Committee noted that it would like to see more information on the research into Autism and the supporting data.

7.8       The Committee again welcomed the report and thanked everyone involved, it was noted the council should continue to work with residents, service user and their experiences to ensure that the key actions are aligned with needs.

7.9       RECOMMENDATIONS: The Commission recommended:

•           That the statistic presented in the Autism Strategy are reviewed for accuracy.

•           That a one-page summary document of the Autism Strategy be produced for sharing with others.

7.10     RESOLVED: that the Committee note the report.