New All-Age Autism Strategy has been developed in line with the National Autism Strategy
This new strategy aims to highlight and tackle existing barriers for autistic people and offer solutions for organisations and providers to overcome these barriers. It will also champion the contributions autistic people have to offer in their communities across the two counties.
The strategy is for and about people of any age with a formal diagnosis of autism, as well as those who identify as autistic.
The new All-Age Autism Strategy has been developed in line with the National Autism Strategy and will focus on seven priority areas:
· Improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society
· Improving autistic children and young people’s access into education, and support positive transitions into adulthood
· Supporting more autistic people into employment
· Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people
· Building the right support in the community
· Improving support in criminal and youth justice systems
· Keeping safe
It has been developed using the real-life experiences of autistic people, through a process known as co-production, across the two counties.
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Autism Partnership Boards talked to autistic people, family carers, people who work in support services, and people living in our communities with an interest in autism. During the consultation period there were also workshops, facilitated groups and an online questionnaire.
Bernadette Louise is the Autism Champion for the Integrated Care System. She is hopeful that this strategy will provide the step change that is needed to support autistic people in the two counties.
Bernadette Louise, ICS Autism Champion, NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said:
“As Autism Champion, I am pleased to be able to share the voices of autistic people and promote the strengths of our community across the two counties. I know from personal experience, and as a professional, the importance of fighting for the rights of autistic people to ensure that we are heard and seen. I believe that we deserve a level playing field and not be disadvantaged by our autism. I am optimistic that this strategy will continue to move things in the right direction for autistic individuals and families like mine.
“This strategy is important, not only because it is a national mandate, but because it is an opportunity to share local people’s lived experiences and follow the needs of autistic people in our area. I hope that this can ensure that short and long-term needs are met by all services, in all sectors for our autistic community.”
Councillor Carole Gandy, Chair of the Herefordshire Health and Wellbeing Board said:
“I’m delighted to share our All-Age Autism Strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. This strategy provides us with a platform to explore what life is like for autistic people in the two counties. Autistic people, carers and professionals worked together in its development, to help ensure it facilitates significant and meaningful change. It’s important that we continue to improve aspects of daily living for autistic people throughout their lives - right from the start with acceptance, receiving the right support in the community to support within the world of work. We need to remove barriers and discrimination, and increase knowledge.”
You can view the strategy in full by visiting the council's website.