Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director, Adults

The Assistant Director, Adults, submitted a report (previously circulated) to update the Adult Scrutiny Committee on the progress made to date in relation to the National Autism Strategy and the subsequent actions within Darlington. The submitted report provided a joint position statement from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust and the Council. 

The submitted report defined Autism, provided an overview of the national context, outlined the priority areas of focus for the National Autism Strategy 2021-26, explained the aim of improving understanding and acceptance of Autism within society, identified the work being undertaken to prevent mental health crisis for people with Autism and the support provided to encourage more Autistic people into employment.

The submitted report also outlined the work being done across the Borough to tackle health and care inequalities for autistic people, and in terms of building the right support in the community and supporting people in inpatient care.

Members welcomed the involvement of ‘Inclusion North’ in the development of the strategy, and were keen to invite representatives to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

Discussion ensued on the number of residents in the North-East who had received an autism diagnosis, and how many of these residents were accessing Mental Health services. Members were also keen to know how the numbers on the waiting list for a diagnosis compared to one year ago, and whether the number of inpatients with autism, and the number of inpatients suspected of having autism, but who did not have a diagnosis, was monitored.

Concerns were also raised in relation to the contrast between the target to reduce waiting lists alongside the increased identification of people suspected of being autistic. Members were also keen to ensure that the support for the local working group had been budgeted for in light of the Medium Term Financial Plan.   

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted and that progress be reviewed on an annual basis.