Issue - meetings

Further to Minute No. 203 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24th April, 2013, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Educational Psychologist, outlining the response to the Scrutiny Review of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Rotherham.

The four stated objectives of the review were to consider:-

: the reasons for the higher diagnosis rates

: services required at diagnosis stage and after

: age 16+ support and transition

: budget implications.

The scrutiny review was therefore structured around these four objectives, with a dedicated meeting held for each one and evidence presented around these four subjects.  Key messages that came out of the review were:-

- Early intervention and prevention work is key for children with ASD;

- Mental health needs of children and adults with ASD can arise because of the lack of support;

- Lack of clarity about where the lead of support lies – Education, Health etc;

- Family and home support is a gap in provision;

- It is difficult for many parents to make sense of all of the different agencies that are involved in this area of work;

- There has been significant progress made with this area of work and this needs to continue with clear leadership and direction;

- To ensure the best outcomes for children and young people with ASD, parental voice and influence is absolutely crucial;

- All of the recommendations formed as part of this review are about more effective use of existing resources, achieving better value for money and becoming better organised in delivery of support.  

The recommendations of the scrutiny review were included as an appendix to the submitted report. Members noted that it is the view of the scrutiny review group that there should not be a need for additional resources to implement the recommendations of the review.

Members’ discussion of this review included the following salient issues:-

- early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder;

- in recent years, Rotherham has become extremely effective in diagnosing this condition;

- the sharing of best practice with this Council’s regional and statistical neighbour authorities;

- the implementation of the review’s recommendations will be monitored by the Health Select Commission.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the progress with the implementation of the review’s recommendations be reported periodically to future meetings of the Health Select Commission.

-           Director of Public Health to report.

Further to Minute No. 203 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24^th April, 2013, Dr. John Radford introduced the report which set out the response to the findings and recommendations of the scrutiny review of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Rotherham. 

The review was requested by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People because of the apparent high levels of diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Rotherham.  This was identified in a report to the Cabinet Member and was explored further in a position paper to the Health Select Commission in July, 2012. It was agreed at this meeting that a full review would be required and this would investigate the steady increase in diagnoses within the last ten years.

The overall aim of the review was to achieve a better understanding of patterns of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Rotherham, leading to the development of appropriate support and assistance to families affected by it.  It was understood that the review took place in a climate of budget reductions and, therefore, also wanted to look at the potential for more effective use of existing resources.

The four stated objectives of the review were to consider, as follows:-

·                The reasons for the higher diagnosis rates.

·                Services required at diagnosis stage and after.

·                16+ support and transition.

·                Budget implications.

The review was, therefore, structured around these four objectives, with a dedicated meeting held for each one and evidence presented around these four headings. 

Key messages that came out of the review were as follows:-

·                Early intervention and prevention work is key for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

·                Mental health needs of children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder can arise because of the lack of support.

·                Lack of clarity about where the lead of support lies – Education, Health etc.

·                Family and home support is a gap in provision.

·                It is difficult for many parents to make sense of all of the different agencies that are involved in this area of work.

·                There has been significant progress made with this area of work and this needs to continue with clear leadership and direction.

·                To ensure the best outcomes for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, parental voice and influence is absolutely crucial.

·                All of the recommendations formed as part of this review were about more effective use of existing resources, achieving better value for money and becoming better organised in delivery of support. It was the view of the review group that there should not be a need for additional resources to implement the recommendations

Resolved:-  (1)  That the response to the Scrutiny Review of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder be approved.

(2)  That all those involved in the review be thanked for their input.