The first ever strategy for improving the lives of adults with autism in England was published on 3 March 2010. The Autism Act 2009 committed the Government to publishing an adult autism strategy to transform services for adults with autism. The publication of this strategy was intended to meet this commitment.
The strategy set out a number of key actions and recommendations for central Government as well as for local authorities, the NHS and Jobcentre Plus, focusing on five key areas: increasing awareness and understanding of autism; developing a clear and consistent pathway for diagnosis; improving access to the services and support people need to live independently within the community ;employment – enabling local partners to develop relevant services to meet identified needs and priorities.
Yesterday’s exchange between Lord Touhig and Earl Howe in the Lords indicates the schedule for a review of this strategy.
As the parent of an adult son with Asperger Syndrome, the writer of this blog suspects that the implementation of this strategy will be found to have been ‘patchy’. And my experience chimes with the findings a survey by the NAS: Care system failing people with autism, says charity. Only 23% of respondents to survey thought social workers had proper understanding of condition
Lord Touhig (Labour)
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to publish details of the content and timings of the review of the adult autism strategy.
Earl Howe (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Quality), Health; Conservative)
The review is an opportunity for Ministers across Government to assess whether the objectives of the autism strategy remain fundamentally the right ones, to take a comprehensive look at how far they are being achieved, and to consider what should happen to continue to make progress.
The Autism Programme Board, which brings together representatives from across government, the public and voluntary sectors and people with autism and family carers, agreed the overall approach to the review at its meeting on 24 April. We are starting the investigative stage of the review and this will last until the end of October. We will then revise the strategy as necessary by March 2014. Key partners such as the National Autistic Society, Autism Alliance UK and the Hidden Impairment National Group will be assisting in this process and they are currently finalising their plans.