Norfolk Autism Partnership Board Minutes – 31st March 2026

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Agreed 26/05/2026

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1. Welcome and Introduction 2. Working Group Updates 3. NASOG Year 2 – Progress Plan 4. Break 5. Digital Strategy for Adult Social Care 6. Now That’s What I Call Autism! 2026 7. Any other business

Meeting Details

Date: Tuesday 25 November 2025
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Venue: Microsoft Teams Meeting

Agenda Item: Pre-Meeting Support

Agenda Item 1 : Welcome and Introduction

1.1 Welcome and introductions made. Communication prompts posted to the Teams Chat window, and their use explained. No reasonable adjustments were requested. Members reported no declaration of interest.
Minutes and action log approved by the Norfolk Autism Partnership Board (NAPB)
Code of Conduct to be monitored by Lee Gibbons

1.2 Members were notified that an automatic transcript of the meeting would take place
to ensure accuracy of minutes. There were no objections

Agenda Item 2 : Working Group Updates

2.1 CA informed the group that this would be her final meeting prior to leaving the ICB.

She has opted for voluntary redundancy as part of the organisational restructure.

CAs last working day will be 22 May.

  • The ICB is currently undergoing a slotting-in process.
  • Alison Sadler (currently part of Suffolk ICB) will take over the Learning Disabilities and Autism programme.
  • Alison will manage both:
    • Existing Suffolk responsibilities
    • CA’s current work
  • Wendy Scott will lead the overall portfolio.
  • CA offered to facilitate introductory emails to support transition and relationship building.

AG expressed appreciation to CA:

  • Thanked her personally and on behalf of NAPB
  • Acknowledged her contributions and impact
  • Extended best wishes for her future career
  • Caron expressed gratitude for the collaboration and support received.
  • She reflected positively on the work achieved and progress made.

Encouraged attendees to:

  • Continue driving the work forward
  • Hold stakeholders accountable
  • Maintain momentum in delivering improvements

2.2 Diagnostic Working Group

Adult Autism Assessments – Norfolk

  • No Learning Disabilities and Autism Board meeting took place in March due to organisational changes.
  • Data presented is from January, meaning reporting is slightly behind.
  • There are two separate commissioned pathways:
    • Norfolk
    • Waveney

Norfolk Pathway Update

Provider:

  • ABL Health (since 1st June last year)
  • Now approximately 9 months into delivery

Backlog and Demand:

  • Inherited waiting list of approximately 1138 
  • Additional pressure from young people transitioning from children’s to adult services:
    • Includes those turning 18 or already 18
    • Many cannot be assessed before transitioning
  • Work is underway to:
    • Map this transition cohort
    • Assess its impact on adult service demand
  • GP referrals have decreased
  • ABL Health are commissioned to do 20 assessments per month

Current Performance and Waiting Times

  • Assessments completed: 81
  • Current waiting list: 1138 people
  • Longest waits:
    • Around 4 years for those already waiting
    • Estimated up to 5 years for new referrals

2.3 Question: The 81 assessments were completed since ABL took over in June, correct?
Answer: Yes.

2.4 Question: That’s only about 10–11 assessments per month—not many, is it?
Answer: This was due to inherited staff leave but staffing is now stable and productivity should increase. Navigation services are also fully recruited, with 62 sessions completed so far.

2.5 Question: Right to Choose—is there any plan to stop it being an option?
Answer: Legally, the ICB cannot stop it as it’s a patient right. However, we want better control and visibility, as currently activity is only known when invoices arrive, making planning difficult.

2.6 Question: The 81 assessments are complete cases—but for the 62 navigation sessions, does that mean 62 individual sessions, or 62 fully completed patient pathways?
Answer: I’m not sure. I’ll need to clarify and ask for clearer reporting.

2.7 Adult Autism Assessments – Waveney

Although this is the Norfolk Autism Partnership Board, including Waveney provides a useful contrast.

Provider:

  • Skylight Psychiatry – longstanding provider in Waveney

Referrals and Assessments:

  • New GP referrals: 206
  • Assessments completed: 145
  • Current waiting list: 24 people
  • Referral to treatment time: 5 months

Key Observation:

  • Shorter waiting times reduce the need for patients to pursue the Right to Choose route.
  • Demonstrates that Waveney’s budget and service structure effectively meet demand, unlike Norfolk.
  • Norfolk service backlog is largely due to insufficient funding and capacity, not low demand
  • Waveney example strengthens the case for adequate resourcing and demand-based budgeting

2.8 Question: Is there any plan to review the disparity between Norfolk and Waveney assessments?Answer: There’s a real inequality; even pooling resources wouldn’t meet demand, so the areas stay separate for now

2.9 Adult Autism Right to Choose

  • RTC data is based invoices received.
  • Does not reflect current waiting numbers.
  • January data (showing only 2 cases) is incomplete and not reliable due to reporting lag.

Key Trends

  • Significant increase in RTC usage over time:
    • November 2023: 7 referrals
    • April 2025: 227 referrals
  • Indicates a rapid and sustained rise in demand for RTC pathways.

Key Drivers

  • Increased public awareness of RTC as an alternative route
  • Long waiting times (up to 5 years) in Norfolk services
  • Patients opting for faster access to assessment via RTC

Observation: As RTC referrals increase, GP referrals in Norfolk are decreasing, suggesting a shift in patient behaviour toward alternative pathways.

2.10 Question: Are waiting lists being reviewed, especially for those using Right to Choose?
Answer: Partially. Data sharing has started with children’s services, and once refined, it will be applied to adults

2.11 Young Person Autism Advisory Group

  • No update available
  • The group did not meet as scheduled last week.
  • Next meeting is scheduled for 01/04/2026.

The group will discuss their involvement in the “Now That’s What I Call Autism” event on 23rd April.

Focus will be on:

  • How young people want to participate and contribute
  • Shaping their role in the event

2.12 Autism Forum Norfolk (ANF)

  • Work is ongoing to develop ideas and content for upcoming forums.
  • Current focus is on preparing for the next forum scheduled at the end of April.
  • An initial idea has been identified for the May forum.
  • Planning for May is ahead of April, though April remains the immediate priority.

2.13 Support Pathways Working Group

  • The group met 30/03/2026
  • Focus was on gathering feedback from autistic people and their families about their experiences of support.

Purpose:

To identify:

  • What good support looks like for autistic people
  • What is important to them in accessing services

Insights will be used to:

  • Support development of autism-friendly services
  • Inform the potential development of an Autism Quality Mark (Year 2 action)

Group explored:

  • The questions that need to be asked
  • The best ways to engage autistic people in providing feedback

Progress and Next Steps

  • Good progress reported in initial scoping discussions
  • Next steps include:
    • Developing a questionnaire
    • Testing the questionnaire with stakeholders
    • Include a question to check whether a Quality/Kite Mark is still needed and relevant

Clarification

  • The Quality/Kite Mark is currently in a scoping phase only
  • It is not yet confirmed as a deliverable
  • Further work will assess:
    • Feasibility
    • Value
    • Resource implications

Next Meeting

  • Scheduled for 20th April
  • Will focus on progressing the questionnaire and overall work

2.14 Question: Will the quality mark be local to Norfolk or a nationwide accreditation?
Answer: It’s currently being explored as a local scheme, but existing models will be reviewed. It’s still in the scoping stage.

2.15 Question: Did you define what “support” means, and would that include things like mental health support?
Answer: Yes, a definition was developed at a previous meeting. It focuses on what support looks like for an individual, so it could include mental health support.

Agenda Item 3: NASOG Year 2 – Progress Plan

3.1 Content Overview

  • Presentation to cover:
    1. Update provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB)
    2. Update from the Strategy Oversight Group
      • Areas of good practice
      • Areas of concern
      • Recommended action changes
    3. Next steps related to ongoing work

Governance Structure

  • NAPB reports to the Health and Wellbeing Board through the following pathway:
    1. NAPB → Learning Disability and Autism Programme Board (organised by the ICB and Norfolk County Council)
    2. Programme Board → Health and Wellbeing Board
  • HWB includes multiple partner organisations:
    • Health care providers
    • District councils
    • Police
    • Other community partners
  • Governance diagram available on the NAPB website for reference

3.2 Health and Wellbeing Board Update (4th March)

  • Year One Progress:
    • Shared progress made during Year One of the Autism Strategy
    • Highlighted the “You Said, We Did” webpage
  • Learning from Year One:
    • Reflections on how the strategy was monitored and key lessons learned
  • Year Two Plan:
    • Presented the actions and priorities for Year Two of the strategy

Video Access

Encouragement and Engagement

  • Councillor Fran Whymark, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, encouraged members to:
    • Visit the NAPB website
    • Attend the “Now That’s What I Call Autism Event 2026” on 23rd April

Agreements by Health and Wellbeing Board Members

  • Members agreed to:
    1. Continue developing yearly plans with the NAPB
    2. Provide regular progress updates on behalf of their organisations
  • Ensures ongoing collaboration to build on progress from Years 1 and 2
  • Supports continuity into Years 3, 4, and 5 of the Autism Strategy

3.3 Question: Did the Health and Wellbeing Board discuss the Lords report and the government’s response on Autism services?
Answer: Not in detail. The report was referenced to highlight the importance of the Autism strategy, but the board focused more on local delivery issues.

3.4 Norfolk Autism Strategy Oversight Group Update

Development of Update

  • Progress updates collected from action owners on 6th February 2026.
  • NASOG members received the plan on 12th February 2026 and provided feedback by 23rd February 2026.
  • NASOG meeting held on 2nd March 2026 to:
    • Discuss Year Two plan progress
    • Review January 2026 update
    • Agree on RAG (Red, Amber, Green) ratings for actions

3.5 Areas of Good Progress

  • Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) Autism Intensive Support Service Pilot
  1. Pilot is underway to assess needs and recruit specialists:
    • Speech and language therapists
    • Occupational therapists
    • Dietitians
  2. Roles have been approved and NSFT has begun recruitment planning.
  • Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board – Mental Health Support in Schools
  1. All schools to have mental health support teams
  2. Teams will provide specialist support to mainstream and specialist schools
  3. Procurement process for these services expected to begin December 2026
  • Training Initiatives
    • Actions involving training are progressing well with high attendance
    • Notable highlights:
  1. Norfolk Autism Partnership Board-led training
  2. Education psychologists and specialist support teams
  3. Tier 1 and Tier 2 Oliver training rollout

NASOG Recommendation: NAPB to acknowledge these three areas of good progress.

3.6 Areas of Concern

  • NASOG recommended these areas be discussed at the board but suggested waiting for the next progress update for additional information.
  1. Constabulary Updates
    • No updates provided for this reporting period
    • Actions are underway, but awaiting a meeting with the Deputy Chief Constable regarding their strategy
    • Update expected in the next progress report
  1. Adult Autism Diagnostic Guide (Private Diagnosis)
    • Lack of progress due to separation of the Diagnosis and Support Working Group into two separate groups, The diagnosis working group and the support pathway working group
    • Norfolk County Council cannot progress this action alone
    • NAPB working to identify alternative ways to advance this action
  1. Parent Carers Needs Assessment Rollout
    • No updates received for two reporting periods

Board Consideration

  • NASOG requested that the board consider potential escalation for these three areas of concern to ensure progress is maintained.

The NAPB Board agreed to wait for next progress update

3.7 Action Changes:

  • Some actions in the Year Two Plan have changed; the Board should be informed of changes and potential impact.

Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board / Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust:

  • Will not develop local practice guides as national guides already exist.
  • Action will be reworded to reflect this change.
  • Updates will continue on how the work will progress.

Norfolk County Council Children’s Services / Local Area Inclusion Plan:

  • Responsibility has moved to organisations delivering the Local Area Inclusion Plan.
  • Action is no longer part of the Local First Inclusion Programme; focus has changed.
  • Work will continue with the action owner to communicate next steps.
  • Board noted and acknowledged the changes; ongoing updates will be provided.

Discussion:

The board discussed potential changes to the Year Two Action Plan and the public-facing document. Two options were considered:

  1. Amending the Year Two Plan Immediately
    • This would involve updating the public-facing document to reflect the changed action.
    • Risks Identified:
      • Could cause confusion for readers.
      • May give the impression that other action owners can alter their plans, which could compromise consistency for autistic people.
  1. Amending the Action in the Year Two Progress Update (March 2026)
    • The change would be communicated to the public as part of the end-of-year report.
    • Risks Identified:
      • The public may not immediately realize the action has changed.
    • Mitigation: Both actions will still be implemented, but in a slightly different manner. The change is not considered significant enough to create mistrust or misunderstanding about original commitments.

Recommendation:
NASOG recommends proceeding with Option 2, as it minimizes impact and aligns better with planned communications in the Year Two progress update.

The NAPB Board agreed with Choosing Option 2

3.8 Next steps

Write to action owners for progress updates to 31 March 2026

When: 23 March. Return by: 3 April  Who: TW and KD

What: Action owners/organisations will be asked to provide:

  • An update of action taken up to 31 March
  • Actions planned to 31 May.

Autism Strategy Oversight Group

When: Monday 11 May Who: NASOG members

What: Members are asked to:

  • RAG rate the progress based on updates from action owners
  • Highlight areas of concern and good progress

Norfolk Autism Partnership Board

When: Tuesday 26 May Who: All members of the partnership board

What: Members are asked to:

Review the Year Two Plan Progress Update to March 2026 and agree any routes for escalation.

Agenda Item 4: Break

4.1 A ten minute break was held

Agenda Item 5 : Digital Strategy for Adult Social Care

5.1 Introduction

  • Sarah Rank introduced herself as Head of Business Partnering for Adult Social Care.
  • Stephen Boddington introduced himself as Innovation Manager
  • Provided background on the digital strategy:
    • Originally developed in 2018.
    • Refreshed in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Currently undergoing a further refresh.
  • Noted the strategy has been shared previously with the Making It Real Board.
  • Purpose of session:
    • To present the refreshed strategy.
    • To gather feedback on priorities and identify any gaps.

Overview of Work to Date

  • Research undertaken on national and local developments in adult social care and technology.
  • Exploration of how digital solutions can improve care delivery.
  • Completion of an Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment.
    • Identified both potential benefits and risks of digital approaches.
    • Highlighted need for assessments for individual technologies.

Key Aims of the Strategy

  • Use technology to improve adult social care services.
  • Ensure digital inclusion:
    • Digital services available but not mandatory (“digital by design, not default”).
    • Non-digital options (phone, paper, face-to-face) will remain.
  • Provide support for individuals who wish to use technology but need assistance.

Engagement and Co-Production

  • Ongoing engagement with:
    • Making It Real Board.
    • LD Partnership Board (planned).
    • Autism Partnership Board.
  • Opportunities for further collaboration:
    • Testing ideas.
    • Technology demonstrations.
    • Sharing user experiences.

Vision and Principles

  • Support individuals to live independently and choose their lifestyles.
  • Technology to support—not replace—human relationships.
  • Care to remain person-centred, respectful, and inclusive.
  • Emphasis on continuous learning and improvement.

Future Outcomes (Aspirations)

  • Staff to spend more time with individuals and less on administration.
  • Improved early intervention and prevention.
  • Better information sharing across services.
  • More joined-up and accessible services.
  • Reduced need for individuals to repeat information.

Strategic Priorities (Five Key Themes)

  1. Digital Leadership and Skills
    1. Strengthen leadership and staff confidence in digital tools.
    1. Provide training and ongoing support.
    1. Address digital exclusion among staff and service users.
  2. Artificial Intelligence and Co-Pilot Tools
    1. Use AI to reduce administrative burden (e.g. note-taking, summaries).
    1. Enable staff to focus more on direct engagement.
    1. Ensure all decisions remain human-led with appropriate governance.
  3. Technology Enabled Care
    1. Expand use of assistive technologies (e.g. sensors, alarms, smart devices).
    1. Support independence and safety at home.
    1. Integrate technology into care planning as a standard option.
  4. Better Case Management Systems
    1. Improve internal systems to reduce duplication and streamline processes.
    1. Enhance accessibility and usability of digital platforms.
    1. Support better data collection and usage.
  5. Working Better Together Across Organisations
    1. Improve collaboration across organisations (e.g. NHS, partners).
    1. Enable safe and effective data sharing.
    1. Provide more seamless and coordinated care.

Measures of Success

  • Reduction in administrative workload for staff.
  • Increased time spent with service users.
  • Improved user experience and satisfaction.
  • Greater independence for individuals.
  • More efficient and joined-up services.

Feedback Requested

Board members were invited to consider:

  • Whether the priorities are appropriate.
  • Any gaps or missing elements.
  • Potential risks or concerns.
  • Clarity and accessibility of the strategy.
  • Specific impacts on autistic individuals.

Next Steps

  • Incorporate feedback into final strategy.
  • Present to LD Partnership Board (30 April).
  • Continue engagement with stakeholders.

5.2 Question: Does this strategy include the use of AI and is their consideration on how to maintain/build relationships with people and for the council to not become over reliant on AI technology?
Answer: Yes, we have an AI Governance Board in place which oversees how we are using AI

5.3 Question: How have autistic and non-neurotypical adults been involved in designing the digital strategy?
Answer: They are involved through co-production with the Making It Real Board, including autistic members. This is an early stage, and the strategy will evolve as a “living document” with ongoing input from the Autism Partnership Board and others.

5.4 Question: Will people have a choice if AI is used in their care? 
Answer: AI is only used to support practitioners, for example by summarising meetings. It does not make decisions, and any information produced is checked and shared with the person, who remains involved in the process.

5.5 Question: How can we ensure digital services don’t become the only option, since many people just want to talk to someone?
Answer: AI supports conversations but decisions remain human, and people can always choose direct contact.

5.6 Comments

  • More voices and perspectives improve understanding and strategy design.
  • Suggested gathering autistic feedback via members, forums, or working groups rather than the board.
  • Highlighted differing needs of autistic people with vs. without learning disabilities.
  • Consider carefully which group is consulted.
  • Engaging both the Autism Partnership Board and Learning Disability Partnership Board is the right approach to gather a wide range of perspectives.

Agenda Item 6 : Now That’s What I Call Autism! 2026

6.1 Now That’s What I Call Autism! 2026 – 23 April 2026, The Forum Norwich (11:00–15:00)

  • Purpose: Celebrate Autism Awareness Week.
  • Current Stands/activities:
    • 7 speakers + 1 performer.
    • Talks run 11:15 to end of event, with 5-minute breaks between sessions.
    • 21 Makers Market
    • 18 information stands (charities, support organisations, day providers, Norfolk County Council, NAPB).
    • 5 Volunteers assisting on the day.
  • Attendance & Promotion:
    • Expected 620–750 attendees (may increase).
    • Media engagement includes an upcoming radio appearance.
  • Venue & Layout:
    • Auditorium downstairs not used to improve visibility.
    • Event spaces: gallery, atrium, dedicated quiet area in the Library (30-sec walk).
    • Table layout adjusted from 5 across to 4 to provide more space.
  • Accessibility:
    • Information on travel, quiet spaces, and toilets shared via Norfolk Autism blog.
  • Digital Engagement:

Members encouraged to attend and support the event, even for part of the day.

6.2 Question: Is current engagement up from last year?
Answer:  Yes. Last year 259 responded on Facebook; this year 725 have, nearly doubling engagement.

6.3 Question: How can board members help promote this?
Answer: I’ll resend the promotion pack with posters, email headers, and shareable materials.

6.4 Question: What’s the best link to share? Facebook, the accessibility page, or the website?
Answer: The Facebook page is best; it has all speakers and up-to-date info.

Agenda Item 7 : Any other business

7.1 No matters were brought up under Any Other Business

Date, time and location of next meeting

Tuesday 31st March 2026 13:00-15:00 (Microsoft Teams)

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