Date & Venue:
18th July 2019, County Hall, Norwich
Key Highlights:
- Leadership & Membership Updates:
- Jared Carpenter acted as stand-in autistic co-chair in Mark Rushen’s absence.
- Amanda Dunn (Assistant Director for Learning Disabilities & Autism, NCC) attended as an observer.
- Hoarding & Self-Neglect Policy Presentation:
- Hoarding & self-neglect impact explained, including challenges in intervention.
- New county-wide strategy developed with focus on early intervention and improved assessment.
- Need to connect autism-related hoarding cases with adult safeguarding services.
- Special Educational Needs & EHCP Updates:
- Norfolk Area SEND Strategy launched, co-produced with stakeholders.
- £120m investment in SEND & Alternative Provision, including three new special schools.
- EHCP backlog reduction efforts underway, with a new tracking system for parents.
- NAPB encouraged to provide feedback on SEND Local Offer.
- Working Group Updates:
- Engagement: Website updates and creation of Easy Read questionnaire for accessibility.
- Data: Progress on Autism Dashboard, expected for review in the next meeting.
- Diagnostic Pathways: Independent review commissioned to improve autism diagnosis services.
- Education: Strategy alignment between NAPB & SEND teams to be developed.
- Workforce Development & Training:
- Autism training for NCC staff expanding to CCGs & NHS partners.
- Accreditation process for external trainers under review.
- Next Steps:
- Develop a business case for a specialist Self-Neglect Service with NAPB input.
- Improve data collection & diagnostic pathways based on independent review.
- Expand autism training access to schools, police, and healthcare professionals.
Next Meeting: 17 October 2019, County Hall
To read the full minutes click here