Progress on the Aberdeen Autism Strategy and intended work which will inform the future strategic direction on the next plan were yesterday agreed at committee.
Aberdeen City Council’s Operational Delivery Committee agreed the recommendations of a report which provided an update on the Aberdeen City Autism Strategy and Action Plan 2019-22.
The Strategy, which started in April 2019, is to finish this year however a new strategy cannot be reviewed until the publication and recommendations for local areas in the Scottish Government’s Neurodiversity Bill is known. In the interim, key partners are to be brought together in the Autumn to consider development of a delivery plan.
Operational Delivery Committee Convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “We welcome the progress on Aberdeen Autism Strategy and it was good to hear the updates from officers.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill added: “Progress made on the 20 19–20 22 autism strategy we help shape the next strategy. It is important that the progress made over recent years is continued.”
The report to committee gave several updates on the current Strategy:
- The 2021/22 professional learning offer focus on autism was delivered in partnership with Autism Understanding Scotland, an autistic led charity, funded under the Scottish Government Understanding Autism program and 654 members of staff participated;
- In June 2022, professional learning on consideration of environments for autistic learners was attended by staff from 34 primary schools and seven academies as well as Additional Support Needs (ASN) Outreach and specialist settings;
- Colleagues from Autism Outreach Service and Speech & Language Therapy worked together to develop a pilot training package for the Early Years Team. Three Nurseries were selected for the pilot and the resource was very well received by staff in the pilot nurseries. Evaluations found that for implementation to be successful, time and resources need to be designated and the school’s Senior Leadership Team need to be fully involved and supportive of implementation;
- A strategy map, action plan, and KPIs have been developed to direct and monitor the journey toward improvement and mapping current provision against the national neurodevelopmental specification for children and young people (NAIT Framework). An identified challenge is the lack of capacity within the existing workforce therefore the initial priority has been to develop job profiles and progress to the recruitment of the posts in order to have a dedicated workforce around this work;
- An ABZ Campus is currently being developed. The programme will see a wider range of learning pathways being made available to meet the needs of young people in the senior phase from June 2023. Distinct workstreams for pupils with additional support needs and the care experienced are in place to ensure that all groups are considered in this potentially transformational programme of work being driven by our secondary schools;
- All newly constructed schools in Aberdeen are designed to be fully physically accessible and there is a need to assess and take action where necessary to improve accessibility for those with other disabilities, such as sensory impairments, and autism;
- Identifying general longer-term requirements and opportunities for improving the physical environment of schools and improving access to education for pupils with a disability, including necessary adjustments for individual pupils with specific requirements;
- A commitment made within the Schools Accessibility Plan is to involve disabled children, parents, specialists, and services in the development of the school estate. Detailed engagement and consultation with all stakeholders, including those mentioned specifically in the accessibility plan, will be a key part of the options appraisal process, as individual decisions on the options for schools within local communities are considered.
The report to committee also had an update from the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCP) where the Adult Autism Assessment Team has developed a sustainable pathway for adults seeking an autism assessment. In May 2022, this pathway was opened to Moray HSCP area, with additional staffing resource provided.
The report said a self-referral and triage model is in place for referrals which reduces the need for individuals to seek referrals via services such as primary care and post-diagnostic support has been developed via third sector partners, which includes both groups and information provision.
Data collated demonstrates there have been 786 referrals (mostly self-referral followed by Community Mental Health Teams and GPs) and of these:
· 62% are female;
· 45 % Aberdeen City; 45% Aberdeenshire; 6% Moray; 4% missing data;
· Diagnostic rate of 85%;
· Averaged wait from referral to first assessment is between 210 and 412 days;
· Average length of assessment is three appointments.
The report said the focus for the service is on implementation of the pathway and assessment process and developing approaches to provide continuing professional development to other teams as well as efficiencies which will improve the waiting times.
The report to committee said the Scottish Government has started work on the Neurodiversity Bill (which will incorporate Autism) and are planning pre-consultation engagement with stakeholders prior to policy options and further public consultation taking place. It is anticipated the outcome of this will be known from early 2023.