CW provided an overview of the Thurrock Adult Autism Strategy. The Strategy has been revised and a request was made for this to be brought back to the HWBB after consultation had taken place.

The draft Strategy is aligned to the Government’s ‘Think Autism’ publication published in April 2014. The Strategy also takes into account Thurrock‘s Autism self-assessment carried out last year.

The original action plan has been updated with clear objectives of what needs to be achieved. The action plan responds to the Adult Autism event that was held at the end of 2014.

The Strategy and Action Plan will be consulted on as part of a 6 week consultation process. 

An Autism Steering Group has been established and had its inaugural meeting in December.

CW explained that at least 57 young people will be going through transition from children’s services to adult services, with 54% of those on the autism spectrum. Over the next 4 years through the transition process support will continue for autistic young. There are 16 service users with complex needs and would require costly specialist services e.g. residential or school placements.

CW made the Board aware of the cost of those who would transition from children’s to adult services. 

Weekly residential placement costs are between £2,900 - £ 5,600 The total weekly cost of all placements is around £59,000. The annual cost is £3.1millon.

AH clarified that the £59,000 figure came from a combination of sources – Education and Health. Of the £3.1 million spent £2.5 million was on Adult Social Care.

BB said she would consider how Housing could contribute to providing accommodation solutions for young people through the supported living programme.

JR asked if priority for Treetops school places were given to local people.

CL informed the Board that Treetops had received a third outstanding Ofsted judgement. CL advised that there is a myth that people move to Thurrock from elsewhere in the country to attend Treetops, when this only applies to a small number of people..

JR commented on the chance to include younger children at Treetops. CL responded that there is pre-school specialist provision already and that plans were in place to expand and offer a bigger pre-school offer at Treetops.

RH commented on the joint working that had taken place with partners and health colleagues to work closely with parents and the schools at an earlier stage – looking at work opportunities, travel training, supported living.  This would help to manage expectations of what adult services could provide and help to reduce the cost required.

BR supported these comments and mentioned the cuts to Adult Social Care Services.  BR also asked CW if parents sat on the Autism Steering Group.

CW said that parents and carers participated in the Autism Steering Group and Autism Transitions Steering Group for parents of younger children. CW explained that there is currently a major piece of work being carried out in commissioning about autism and day opportunities, supported living and how they all interlink to start these conversations earlier. JR asked about the opportunity to share expertise and experiences from parents and children.. CW provided an example where a parent with a child going through transition had been involved with the Borough’s Winterbourne work and that this had been of real benefit.

BR suggested that maybe we should undertake a media campaign to support and promote the public consultation.

CL advised that it may be worth mentioning the percentage of children with autism within the document. There may be undiagnosed autism in adults due to historic practices but diagnosing autism in children has improved and is accurate and would provide a good indicator of future demand.

RESOLVED

Recommendations agreed.