Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Robin Greenwood, Jacci Fowler and Polly Wilkinson.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 5 February 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

Update from Debi Game, SUCO

Debi Game, SUCO reported that there has been a lot of interest from service users and carers in becoming involved in the Autism Partnership Board.

Thanks were given to Richard Maguire for his help in identifying potential Board members.

The membership of the Board now includes 10 service user/carer representatives (the requirement is 8). Music Therapy have also expressed interest about joining the Board.

An induction session took place for service users/carers at the end of March.  A further training session will be held later this year.

Elections for a Chair and Co-chair will be held once the service users and carers have had the opportunity to see how the Board functions.

Members advised that they would like the Autism Partnership Board to achieve the following;

·        Increased awareness of autism

·        Service users and carers having real input and drive of the direction of the Board

·        A smooth process for referrals

·        Reinforcing the way work is being done

·        Bucks to be a place where autistic people can be happy

·        A seamless provision from autism which transends change

·        Increased availability of bespoke services for those with autism who move from the homes of their parents into the community

·        More services for adults in High Wycombe i.e. social groups for those with Asperger’s and Learning Difficulties

·        Increased understanding and awareness of information from the Health Service (there is a lot of crossover of services)

·        Better services for young children and families in particular, those who have no difficulties but are at the high end of the spectrum

·        Better support in schools

·        Better representation for the needs of girls and young women

·        Happiness, understanding and awareness building

·        Support for adults and young women

·        Raising professional understanding when carrying out assessment of needs

·        Making the process of getting a diagnosis easier for children who want to have a diagnosis as well as clarity of the criteria and signposting of services

·        Parents, carers and young people feeling equipped in making sure that the Local Authority is doing what it should be doing (responding to changes to Acts etc)

The Bucks version of the Joint Autism Strategy will be circulated when the document has been signed off by the Cabinet Member.  The document sets out the National Strategy, the situation in Buckinghamshire, the main aims (these reflect the National Strategy) and the action strategy.

During discussion, the following questions were asked;

The figures that are shown for women are more likely to be a 50/50 split. The figures used are prevalent as there are no existing ones. The aim would be to update the strategy on a yearly basis. 

The National Autism Strategy is for adults.  The Bucks Autism Strategy covers all ages.  It was pointed out at the last meeting that the membership of the Autism Board does include representation from children’s services.  The post of children’s commissioner should be appointed to later this year which will enable the strategy to be made more robust and to provide an overview.  There is not a joint post for Health and Children’s Services.  The most appropriate representation on the Board for Education also needs decided.

Link to the National Autism Strategy

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/think-autism-an-update-to-the-government-adult-autism-strategy

Zita Calkin explained that there are a number of different documents with similar names. 

The National Strategy is entitled ‘Think Autism - Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives’ which was published in 2010 after the Autism Act.  The strategy lists the 15 priorities (see below) and on how the strategy should be applied locally. 

Priorities

An equal part of my local community

1.    I want to be accepted as who I am within my local community.  I want people and organisations in my community to have opportunities to raise their awareness and acceptance to autism.

2.    I want my views and aspirations to be taken into account when decisions are made in my local area.  I want to know whether my local area is doing as well as others.

3.   I want to know how to connect with other people.  I want to be able to find local, autism peer groups, family groups and low level support.

4.   I want the everyday services that I come into contact with to know how to make reasonable adjustments to include me and accept me as I am.  I want staff who work with them to be aware and accepting of autism.

5.   I want to be safe in my community and free from the risk of discrimination, hate, crime and abuse.

6.   I want to be seen as me and for my gender, sexual orientation and race to be taken into account.

The right support at the right time during my lifetime

7.   I want a timely diagnosis from a trained professional.  I want relevant information and support throughout the diagnostic process.

8.   I want autism to be included in local strategic needs assessments so that person centred local health, care and support services, based on good information about local needs, is available for people with autism.

9.   I want staff in health and social care services to understand that I have autism and how this affects me.

10.       I want to know that my family can get help and support when they need it.

11.       I want services and commissioners to understand how my autism affects me differently through my life.  I want to be supported through big life changes such as transition from school, getting older or when a person close to me dies.

12.       I want people to recognise my autism and adapt the support they give me if I have additional needs such as a mental health problem, a learning disability or if I sometimes communicate through behaviours which others may find challenging.

13.       If I break the law, I want the criminal justice system to think about autism and to know how to work well with other services.

Developing my skills and independence and working to the best of my ability

14.       I want the same opportunities as everyone else to enhance my skills, to be empowered by services and to be as independent as possible.

15.       I want support to get a job and support from my employer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To agree the Autism Partnership Board work programme

A copy of the Buckinghamshire Joint Autism Strategy 2014-16 – Partnership Board work plan was circulated for discussion.

Zita Calkin explained that each of the Partnership Boards has a work plan which gives details of what they would like to achieve. Some of the actions sit with the Project Board i.e. diagnostic assessment.  The name of the person responsible for the action and dates need to be included in the work plan.

There are four general aims in the action plan;

·        Increasing awareness and understanding of autism

·        Access to diagnosis and assessment

·        Access to services and support

·        Improve planning so we can develop the services people with autism need

There are currently two pathways for accessing diagnosis and assessment; an adult with a learning difficulty is referred to the learning difficulties team for diagnosis; an adult with a mental health issue would go via the mental health team in Oxford.  There is a huge group of people who ‘sit’ in the middle.

Discussions are taking place with Oxford Health about the provision of services for those in the ‘middle’ of the process and to design tool to help GP’s with the diagnosis of autism. The process is to be finalised but would include the impact on the individual’s life, what the diagnosis means to them and why do they want the diagnosis. This service needs to be carefully promoted as there is limited funding available.

During discussion, the following comments were made;

·        The mental health team in Oxford is not commissioned to provide assessments for autism.

·        Advice given is that referrals can be made out of county if the individual would like them to be

·        A lot of adults self identify as a result of a family member being diagnosed with autism

·        It is about looking at why the individual wants the diagnosis

·        There is the need to define the threshold.  An individual appears to be coping but at what point does anxiety have an impact?

·        There is the issue of support after diagnosis to be taken into account

·        There is the genetic connection of having autism and an individual finding out they have autism as a result of their child/children being diagnosed – this is a double issue which has a big impact on the family. 

·        Part of the criteria should be the inclusion of helping adults who want a diagnosis

·        Diagnosis of autism is life changing.  When a diagnosis is received is like putting on the right glasses.

·        The impact of not having support is vast as well as knowing what is going on.  Once the individual knows about the diagnosis, it is vital to have strategies in place.

·        What is the role of the Autism Partnership Board in terms of support?

·        People go back to their GP continually.  As the picture becomes clear, a lot of what can be done is remarkably simple.

·        Some cases of diagnosis of autism in 11-16 year olds show that the category of diagnosis is incorrect.  There is also the battle of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Autism Project Board

Members are welcome to attend meetings of the Autism Project Board.

Autism event in October

Carers Bucks are facilitating an event for Autism in October.  Funding has been secured for the event.  An initial meeting has taken place to discuss the date, venue, speakers etc.

Carers Bucks

Carers Bucks work with young carers.  They also produce online guidance for young carers;

http://www.youngcarersbucks.org/youngcarershome.html

Sally Mansi, Young Carers Service Manager is to be invited to a future meeting of the Board.

Action: Zita Calkin/Sharon Griffin

Since April 2014 Carers Bucks have been delivering a new carers’ support service as a Business Partner of Buckinghamshire County Council. This is part of a response to the extension of carers’ rights in the new Care Bill and the Children and Families Act. Stephen Archibald is to be invited to a future meeting of the Board to give an update.

Action: Zita Calkin/Sharon Griffin

Future Meetings of the Board

Suggestions for agenda items and contributors to attend future meetings of the Board are welcomed.

Action: All

Membership of the Board

During discussion of the membership of the Board, the inclusion of the representation from the following was suggested.

·        an OT commissioner

·        educational psychology

·        Buckinghamshire Community Child Minding Network

The next meeting of the Board will take place on Wednesday 11 June 2014, Mezzanine 1, County Hall, Aylesbury.

There will be a pre meeting for Members of the Board at 9.30am.

Future meeting dates for 2014;

13 August

15 October

3 December

The next meeting of the Board will take place on Wednesday 11 June 2014, Mezzanine 1, County Hall, Aylesbury.

Future meeting dates for 2014;

13 August

15 October

3 December