Developing an Autism Plan for East Sussex

Kenny MacKay

Strategic Commissioner – Mental Health, Adult Social Care

Developing an Autism Plan for East Sussex

Debbie Endersby

Head of Commissioning – Learning Disability, Adult Social Care

WelcomeWelcome

OverviewOverview

“Finding people who understand about Asperger’s helps me and makes me feel less anxious. I want to find a job and have someone to do things I like doing with, someone who understands me and my anxiety. They don’t have to have autism but they need to know about Asperger’s and what it means for me.”

Jane’s storyJane’s story

Scott’s storyScott’s story

Developing an Autism Plan for East Sussex

Angela Yphantides

Autism Commissioning Project Manager, Adult Social Care

BackgroundBackground

Local picture• Comprehensive Needs Assessment• Autism lead appointed• Local stakeholder views

National picture• Autism Act• Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives• Statutory Guidance• NICE guidance

ApproachApproach

To develop a plan by:

• listening to local experts

• strengthening partnerships

• providing leadership

Some questions…?Some questions…?Do the proposals reflect your priorities?

Any gaps?

Any suggestions for improved outcomes?

Key themes so far…Key themes so far…

• Autism in East Sussex

• Helping people understand autism

• Better support for people who have autism and their carers

• Checking the plan is working

“DSM4 will make it harder for people to get a diagnosis because we’ll all be lumped together as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I had to wait 14 months to get my diagnosis, and start to understand what autism is. The main things that are important to me are to get a job so I can live and be more independent, and to have people around me who understand the way I am. This would make me feel less anxious.”

What hasn’t worked so well?What hasn’t worked so well?

Autism in East SussexAutism in East Sussex

• Identify local needs of people with autism

• Develop a diagnostic pathway – phase 2

When I got my diagnosis, there wasn’t any support. They didn’t refer me on. I went back to my mental health service but I don’t fit into the mental health world, even though I’ve come under mental health since I was young. Asperger’s is not mental health. Without people who understand me, I get anxious. I need help to manage my anxiety, especially when talking to new people who I don’t know if I can trust or not. I felt like I was going in circles.

What happened after you were What happened after you were diagnosed with Asperger’s?diagnosed with Asperger’s?

Helping people understand Helping people understand autismautism

• better information

• strategically promoted

• enhanced training opportunities

• ‘champions’ network

• extend to other agencies

“I contacted a lot of services I found on the internet but the contact numbers were mostly out of date or I was blocked because I had a criminal conviction. I tried to get support from a lot of organisations that helped people to get work. I want to find a job. I want to have a friend. I want to have support from people, to do things I like to do, where people understand how I am and can deal with it. Some people in mental health services are ok at doing this, but a lot aren’t. Also, some people are the Job Centre are ok but some are not.”

What kind of support do you want?What kind of support do you want?

Better support for people with Better support for people with autism and their carersautism and their carers

Consider developing:

• short breaks

• time limited peer support

• supported employment opportunities

• extend opportunities to connect online with peers and carers

Checking the plan is workingChecking the plan is working

• publish a commissioning plan

• clear leadership arrangements

• series of targeted workshops to develop and implement outcomes – starting 20 November

Consultation planConsultation plan

• 11 June to 31 August

• Raising awareness at stakeholder events

• Today’s workshop

• Survey

• The voice of autism

• Publish findings in September

• Publish commissioning plan in October

How to get involvedHow to get involved

• Complete a survey

• Let us know about your local group

• Express an interest in attending future workshops to help implement the plan

Autism.adults@eastsussex.gov.uk

Consultation cafeConsultation cafe

Is it clear?

Are there additional questions you would like included?

Consultation surveyConsultation survey

Thank youThank you

• Involvement forms

• Future workshops

• Publish the plan in the autumn

Lunch and networkingLunch and networking