The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)
In line with duties under the Autism Act 2009, and following the review led by the Department of Health into progress in relation to the 2010 adult autism strategy for England “Fulfilling and rewarding lives”, the Department of Health is today publishing “Think Autism”, the follow up to “Fulfilling and rewarding lives”, the 2010 adult autism strategy for England on world autism day.
The cross-Government adult autism strategy is an essential step towards realising the Government’s long-term vision for transforming the lives of and outcomes for adults with autism.
“Think Autism” is an update to the 2010 autism strategy and reaffirms the importance of the five areas for action aimed at improving the lives of adults with autism identified in the strategy.
An update is being published for three reasons:
in line with the Autism Act, we undertook a review of the autism strategy in 2013-14 and are reflecting what we heard from people with autism, their families and from services in this update;
to reflect progress that has been made since 2010 and commitments that have been delivered; and
to take account of changes in public services and new organisations.
During the review of the autism strategy we ran a comprehensive exercise to listen and learn about how it is working. Nearly 2,000 people took part in focus groups, conferences and events. Over 1,100 people took part in an online survey. Local authorities worked with partners and local people to complete self-assessment exercises looking at the progress they are making.
From this review, 15 priority challenges for action were identified by people with autism, carers, professionals and others who work with people with autism. In particular, “Think Autism” has a new focus on building communities that are more aware of and accessible to the needs of people with autism, on promoting innovative local ideas, service or projects that can help people in their communities and on how advice and information on services can be joined up better for people.
“Think Autism” sets out a clear programme of action we will take across Government to improve the lives of people with autism, primarily through supporting local authorities, the NHS, other public services and their local partners with their local implementation work.
We intend to publish new statutory guidance to support the updated strategy later in 2014, following a public consultation exercise.
Public Health England has also published fuller results and the individual area responses from the second national autism self-assessment exercise, which reported on progress by the end of September 2013 across all 152 local authority areas in England. This information is found at: www.ihal.org.uk/projects/autism2013. This is a key means of identifying progress in implementing the strategy as a whole and for demonstrating local accountability.
“Think Autism: Fulfilling and rewarding lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update” has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.