Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Roche (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Myers

Recommendations:

1.            That the strategic direction outlined in this report for people with Autism and their carers through the development of an All Age Autism Strategy be approved as a joint strategy for the Council and the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group.

2.            That the Autism Partnership Board be established to oversee implementation plans that will be developed following the strategy.

3.            That consultation take place with children and adults with Autism, their carers and those young people, who may use adult services in the future to co-produce, fit for purpose and sustainable opportunities for people with Autism in Rotherham.

4.            That approval be given to the action plan to strengthen statutory compliance.

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval to implement a strategic approach to the commissioning and delivery of services for people with Autism within Rotherham.

The paper detailed a set of strategic commissioning intentions that would promote independence, choice and control for people with Autism. It was reported that the strategy would strengthen Rotherham’s statutory commitments and the approach would contribute to the direction of the Adult Care Development Programme and the Children and Young People’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) agenda.

The proposed programme of work outlined in the approach was based on guidance from:

·           The Autism Act 2009

·           Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives 2010

·           Think Autism 2014

·           Legislative requirements set out within the Care Act • Children and Families Act 2014

·           Good practice in other parts of the country

·           A need to modernise and deploy resources as effectively as possible.

It was noted that the strategic approach outlined a number of actions that would support people to be more independent and provide a wider choice of services to support children and adults with Autism to fulfil their potential.

Whilst the report referred to the statement of Special Educational Needs, it was noted that this was no longer applicable and the subsequent correction to the report was noted.

Commissioner Myers agreed:–

(1)  That the strategic direction for people with Autism and their carers through the development of an All Age Autism Strategy be approved as a joint strategy for the Council and the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group.

(2)  That the Autism Partnership Board be established to oversee implementation plans that will be developed following the strategy.

(3)  That consultation take place with children and adults with Autism, their carers and those young people, who may use adult services in the future to co-produce, fit for purpose and sustainable opportunities for people with Autism in Rotherham.

(4)  That approval be given to the action plan to strengthen statutory compliance.