Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:-

1.    Approve the refreshed Rotherham All Age Autism Strategy 2024 – 2027 and acknowledge the commitment to develop a co-produced action plan.

2.    Agree to receive a further report in 18 months on delivery against the All Age Autism Strategy 2024 - 2027 and that the plan is to co-produce a detailed action plan in 2024.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval of the refreshed Rotherham All Age Autism Strategy 2024-2027 and sought acknowledgment of the commitment to develop a co-produced action plan.

The Strategy built on the progress made in the delivery of the Rotherham All Age Autism Strategy 2020-2023 and sets out the strategic direction and priorities for the next three years. This had been informed by the co-production work undertaken with people with lived experience, attached at Appendix 2.

Lived experience, as reported by autistic children, young people and adults was captured in the key areas. The Strategy also identified existing work programmes which were taking place to address areas of development, as it was clear that significant progress was being made and would be further built upon over the next three years.

The following changes had been made to the Strategy, to ensure it remained reflective of the needs of autistic people within Rotherham:

The restructuring of the priorities to the Rotherham Four Cornerstones: Rotherham developed the Four Cornerstones, which were essential for ensuring that the autistic community (children, young people, adults, parents and carers) and the neurodivergent community in Rotherham had an equal voice. The Four Cornerstones were : Welcome and Care, Value and Include, Communicate, and Work in Partnership. This would ensure a golden thread between Children and Young Peoples Services and Adult Services, as well as Housing.

The plan was to co-produce a detailed action plan to address the priorities in 2024. The rationale was to ensure that autistic children, young people and adults with families and professionals, worked together on the strategic priorities important to them and could demonstrate delivery and impact.

To ensure that the voice of autistic children, young people and adults was captured and used to shape the strategy, a public consultation was undertaken by Rotherham Parents Forum Ltd from 24th July to 10th October 2023.

A total of 175 people provided their views and experiences (149 questionnaires and 26 people attended a focus group), of whom approximately 79% identified as autistic. No formal autism diagnosis was required, so this figure also included people who self-identified or were

questioning, and their families. All focus groups were with autistic people.

A summary report regarding the co-production was attached as Appendix 2 to

this report, and a summary was included as an appendix to the Strategy. The

level of involvement of people with lived experience in shaping the development of the Strategy was extensive and would ensure the future

strategic direction was reflective of the needs and aspirations of autistic people in Rotherham.

During the meeting, the importance of diagnoses in adulthood was raised. Officers agreed and confirmed that this was an important part of the Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People expressed her support for the Strategy which was very welcome and positive.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:-

1.    Approve the refreshed Rotherham All Age Autism Strategy 2024 – 2027 and acknowledge the commitment to develop a co-produced action plan.
 

2.    Agree to receive a further report in 18 months on delivery against the All Age Autism Strategy 2024 - 2027 and that the plan is to co-produce a detailed action plan in 2024.