The Norfolk Autism Partnership Board (NAPB) met to discuss service updates, strategy progress, and upcoming activities to support autistic people in Norfolk.
Agenda Items / Discussions & Decisions
1. Pre-Meeting Support & Admin
- Pre-meeting support provided.
- Minutes and action log approved.
- Communication protocols reiterated.
- No conflicts of interest declared.
2. Diagnostic Working Group Update
- Diagnostics Working Group continues to review detailed ICB reports.
- Updates to NAPB provided every two months.
- ABL Health’s diagnoses confirmed to be NHS-equivalent.
- Early feedback from new diagnostic service has been positive.
3. Autism Support Pathways Working Group
Group Goals:
- Improve access to autism support
- Maintain Norfolk Autism Directory and Quick Reference Guides
- Develop a Norfolk Autism Partnership Kite Mark
Decisions & Actions:
- Terms of Reference approved, pending addition of carers to consultation list
- Open invitation to join as co-lead or group member
- Autistic people can co-lead the group
- Group to use surveys and outreach to ensure wide input from autistic people
4. Norfolk Autism Forum Update (1 July 2025)
Highlights:
- Forum Attendance: 16–18 participants
- Training sessions: Exceeded targets (105 vs 60 projected)
- ABL Health update: 5+ assessments/week, based in Thetford.
- Concerns: Lack of post-diagnostic support and uncertainty over DWP recognition.
- Adult Support Service Update:
- 309 referrals; 64% engaged; 44% achieved outcomes
- Common goals: community access, managing finances, employment
- Need identified for life skills and routine-building support
- GP Reasonable Adjustments Discussion:
- Inconsistent implementation
- Many rely on individual staff attitude rather than standard practice
5. Young People Autism Advisory Group (YPAAG)
Overview:
- First meeting held 25 July 2025, with 6 attending (8 registered)
- Discussion focused on Priority 1: Autism Understanding & Inclusion
- Format: Simplified questions (“What are your struggles?” / “What support would help?”)
Feedback from Young People:
- Schools: Teachers lack autism understanding, noisy canteens, need quiet space
- Bullying: Especially for special interests
- Uniforms: Discomfort – want sensory-friendly options
- GP Visits: Prefer text-to-enter, social stories to reduce anxiety
- Shopping: Want quiet queues or muted environments
Next Meeting: Friday 21 November 2025 – Focus: Priority 2 – Education and Transition
6. Autism Strategy Oversight Group
Progress:
- Training (Tier Two) and employment targets on track
- Good data on Oliver McGowan training
- Concerns:
- No updates on children’s diagnosis and health
- Ongoing school improvement actions lacking updates
Decisions & Next Steps:
- Escalation routes to be discussed in next Steering Group
- Year 2 Plan in development:
- Action owners to submit updates and new commitments by 15 August 2025
- Draft to be finalised for 30 September 2025 NAPB Meeting
7. GP Reasonable Adjustments Project
Survey Findings:
- 87% felt they needed adjustments
- 53% never requested them
- 47% confident to ask
Requested Adjustments Include:
- Quieter waiting areas
- Early/late appointments
- Waiting in car with SMS alerts
- Clear face-to-face communication
Proposals:
- Present findings to Learning Disability Leads
- Develop social stories for GP visits
- Encourage standardisation of adjustments via coding systems
Next Meeting
Tuesday 30th September 2025 | 13:00–15:00
To read the full minutes, click here
