Agenda item

The committee previously received a report on the Autism and ADHD Health Needs Assessment (HNA) in November 2024. This paper aims to bring the HNA back to members for final discussion and comment prior to publication, and bring the early draft version of the Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030 to members for initial discussion and comment.

Members considered a report presenting a final draft of the Autism and ADHD Health Needs Assessment (HNA) and an early draft of the Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030, following discussion of an earlier draft of the HNA at the committee’s November 2024 meeting.

The Director of Public Health provided an overview, supported by other officers and colleagues from the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and in response to questions from the committee it was noted that:

·       Following the committee’s previous feedback, officers had worked with Dr Laura Fox of the University of York along with other stakeholders revise the language used in the HNA and update and enhance the evidence used, which was welcomed by members.

·       It was suggested that the framing of the draft Strategy could be linked to areas likely to attract funding, including around economic growth, and noted that officers would explore this further.

·       Collaborative work was ongoing on developing a strength-based and person-centred approach to managing the transition from Children’s to Adult services, and feedback on this was welcomed to evidence these changes.

·       It was an aim that schools were meeting the needs of children and young people at the earliest opportunity. Partnership work was essential and support in mainstream schools remained a major focus, with the SEN system supporting many young people who did not yet have a diagnosis. The importance of including children who were educated at home was empathised.

·       The impact of burnout on consultation responses and the need to rebuild trust, not to overpromise, and to help people feel listened to was acknowledged.

·       With reference to ADHD and gender it there were significant differentials which needed to be factored in to care planning; ways of improving communications and resources for professionals around this would be considered.

·       Waiting lists for adults and children grew by 150 and 500 each month respectively across the ICB area; a needs-based approach to pre-diagnositic support was being prioritised and the collaborative board would consider a report in June exploring these numbers and what would be required to clear waiting lists for 0-5, 5-18, and over 18 age groups.

·       Referrals by exception outside the accepted criteria were possible via a mental health clinician, and examples from the ICB’s specialist providers could be supplied.

·       Partners would be consulted to contribute to the Strategy, including TEWV around adult mental health services, and officers were at an early stage in exploring challenges faced by neurodivergent people around access to the city centre, particularly in busy periods such as the Christmas market.

·       The DoIt profiler was not mandatory to access the pathway, and in the available feedback around 70% of respondents had found it useful, although it was acknowledged that others did not.

·       Improving communications had emerged as a key theme in co-production, including greater clarity in direct communications to individuals around the process, improved language in general communications such as press releases, and better information provision on websites to avoid duplication and looping. Honesty around communications was important and ran through each of the Strategy’s three pillars.

Resolved:

                i.                    To note the Autism and ADHD Health Needs Assessment (HNA) and request that the committee’s feedback be considered.

              ii.                    To note the early draft version of the Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025-2030 and request that the committee’s feedback be considered.

Reason:     To keep the committee updated and to input into the development of the HNA and draft Strategy.