Agenda item

This paper outlines the current strategic position in York around improving the support available to autistic people and their families and carers and it proposes a refresh of the York All-Age Autism Strategy, aligned with the national strategy for Autistic Children, Young People and Adults 2021-2026.

Members considered a report that outlined the current strategic position in York around improving the support available to autistic people and their families and carers.

The Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Integration and the Head of Transformation provided an overview, noting that to build upon the work already completed locally under the 2017-2021 All-age Autism Strategy, and to address the nationally identified challenges for autistic people, a refreshed co-produced 2021-2026 All-age Autism Strategy for York was required.

It was noted that the government had renewed its commitment to autistic people and had published a refreshed 2021-2026 National Strategy for Autistic Children, Young People and Adults. The Strategy outlined six areas for change:

a.        Improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society.

b.        Improving autistic children and young people’s access to education and supporting positive transitions into adulthood.

c.        Supporting more autistic people into employment.

d.        Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people.

e.        Building the right support in the community and supporting people in inpatient care.

f.         Improving support within the criminal and youth justice systems.

Officers confirmed that to refresh York’s All-age Autism Strategy there was a firm requirement for a schedule of co-production to ensure that the many and varied voices of citizens were heard. This would require different methods of engagement, including expertise from people with lived experience. The schedule also had to account for the work required to collaborate with key service providers in the city, ensuring that the work aligned with other strategic priorities within Health, Social Care and Education.

In answer to questions raised by Members, it was noted that:

·        Waiting times for an autism assessment could be high in the city, with the average child or young person waiting more than the mandated 13 weeks. Whilst waiting, pre-diagnosis support was available and post diagnostic support was also accessible to children and young people who had not been diagnosed with autism but showed some characteristics. 

·        Gender bias would be considered in the consultation to reduce misdiagnoses across genders.

·        The consultation would draw feedback from parents and carers to ensure that several respite opportunities would be made available.

·        The consultation and refreshed strategy would strive to improve the understanding and acceptance of autism in society and support employment opportunities for autistic young people.

·        An Autism Strategy Board would be established to oversee the new strategy.

·        The consultation would include in-depth conversations with key stakeholders, including with schools and General Practitioners.

During the discussion, officers noted that the complexity of autism could be enhanced within future reports, and they agreed to provide Members with:

·        A breakdown of the current levels of children and young people diagnosed with autism.

·        The services available to support adults.

Members recognised the need for exhaustive consultation with key stakeholders and they thanked officers for their continued work to support the growing needs for autistic people within our city.  

Resolved: That the proposed refresh, and the schedule of consultation with key stakeholders outlined, be supported.

Reason: That having a co-produced all-age autism strategy for the city would ensure that the council were meeting the growing needs for autistic people in our population and were compliant with their statutory responsibilities.