Meeting documents

To receive this report.

The Committee received a report from the Acting Head of Joint Commissioning (Mental Health & Learning Disabilities) which provided a progress update on the implementation of the Somerset Autism Strategy, launched in November 2015.

The Strategy is aligned to the national strategy and the Autism Strategy Group brings together, Somerset CCG and SCC commissioners from adults, children’s and public health teams, along with a range of agencies. The group meets on a quarterly basis to oversee the implementation of the Strategy and the action plan and has four priority areas of work: Living with Autism; Workforce Development; Identification and Diagnosis; and Children and Young people.  The report highlighted the areas of progress and next steps for each priority area. 

The report concluded that while services have developed there is always more to do in assuring that outcomes are being met for individuals with autism and their families. Work will continue within each of the priority areas.

The following points were raised during discussion:

·        It was clarified that there is a small Asperger’s Syndrome Service with one social worker but they have now transferred to adult Social Care.  The rationale behind this was to increase the number of staff that could help and specialise with Asperger’s rather than relying on one member of staff. 

·        There is some evidence that autism is more difficult to diagnose in females.  How is this being addressed?

-        There is some thought that it might be underdiagnosed in females.

·        Is there a clear pathway for diagnosis?

-        There is a clear pathway but there are significant delays.  This is not out of line with the region but clearly there is work to be done in this area.

·        There is some good work going on in the service, for example, in raising awareness but there is a lack of resource and support, particularly for adults.  Many adults feel abandoned by the system.  There are huge delays, even just to begin the process and it can take over two years to get a diagnosis and this is not right. 

-        The service provider is taking steps to make improvements but I agree that there is more work to do. 

The committee noted the report but expressed concern over the delay in diagnosis.  They would welcome actions to improve the delays.