Landmark victory for local Autism services
The Government has published statutory guidance for local authorities to ensure they meet the needs of people with autism. This guidance is a landmark victory that follows three years of campaigning by the National Autistic Society (NAS) and their supporters.
However, this is only the beginning, as councils and local NHS Trusts must now ensure that changes happen locally.
The guidance states that local authorities must deliver on the following five points:
· Cannot refuse a community care assessment based solely on IQ
· Must appoint an autism lead in their area
· Have to develop a clear pathway to diagnosis and assessment by 2013
· Should offer key staff autism training
· Need to commission services based on adequate population data
Mark Lever, chief executive of The National Autistic Society, says, “As councils set their budgets, they need to take account of the new legal duties coming into force under the Autism Act, and not allow people with autism to continue to fall between the gaps in services. Now more than ever, they and their families need support. One third of adults with autism have developed a serious mental health problem as a result of a lack of support, and families tell us that they are often left struggling to cope. We are now at a pivotal point and must push to see this strategy turned into action”.
The statutory guidance will be announced at a conference for autism leaders organised by the NAS in partnership with the Department of Health. MP Paul Burstow, Minister for Care Services, speaking in advance of the conference said, “It is unacceptable that adults with autism have not been getting the full and appropriate care and support that they need from health and social care services. Today is a vital step forward in changing that picture. This government has set the direction of travel and it is now important that local commissioners and providers recognise this and identify where improvements need to be made. We will continue to review progress and will also look to publish key quality outcomes to drive improvements across the public sector shortly. This will build on today’s statutory guidance for health and social care services and will address employment, housing and other public service issues for adults with autism”.
Anya Ustaszewski, an adult with autism who actively campaigns for better rights, support and acceptance for those on the autistic spectrum, says, “Local authorities need to realise the importance of implementing the statutory guidance and not view it as a chore. In many areas across the country provisions for people with autism are currently limited and inadequate, despite there being a greater than average need for them. Councils need to consult meaningfully with people with autism in order to implement the guidance effectively from the start, so as to make the best possible use of the already limited funding and avoid letting down people with autism. All provision should be focused on principles of the Social Model of Disability and Disability rights, seeking to support and accept us for who we are”.
A report by the National Audit Office in 2009 found that failure to provide support to people with autism was not only damaging to the individual, but also cost the public purse tens of millions of pounds. If local services identified and supported just 4% of adults with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome the outlay would become cost neutral over time. If they did the same for just 8% it could save the Government £67 million per year. Providing the right support at the right time can prevent the need for costly crisis intervention further down the line.
