Norfolk Autism Partnership Board

Meeting summary

Norfolk Autism Partnership Board Meeting Summary
Meeting Date: 22 May 2019
Location: Costessey Town Council, Norwich

Purpose of the Meeting
The Norfolk Autism Partnership Board (NAPB) met to discuss progress and updates across various working groups focused on autism services and support in Norfolk. The meeting aimed to review previous actions, receive reports on key areas such as training, engagement, data collection, diagnostic pathways, and education, and to consider findings from an independent review alongside the ongoing development of the Norfolk Autism Strategy.

Main Updates and Discussions

Welcome and Introductions
The meeting was opened by James Bullion, co-chair of the Board, who welcomed all attendees and noted apologies from members unable to attend. New Assistant Director for Learning Disabilities and Autism Commissioning, Amanda Dunn, was introduced. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Minutes and Actions from Previous Meeting
The minutes from the previous meeting on 4 October 2018 were reviewed. Several action points from that meeting were addressed: the role of Rosemary Boutet as family/carer representative was clarified; relevant data had been circulated; a glossary for autism terminology was developed; and a draft application form for board roles was being reviewed by volunteers. Some outstanding actions remain, such as the circulation of a powerpoint on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), which Tracey Walton was following up. It was also confirmed that an autism strategy draft had been shared for feedback and revised accordingly.

Training and Workforce Development
Tom Bassett updated the board on workforce training progress. He noted recent changes in group membership and that a training needs analysis had been completed and shared with stakeholders in health, crime, and education sectors. Inconsistencies in autism training quality among providers had been identified. Online autism training is currently available via Norfolk County Council’s Learning Hub, with efforts ongoing to encourage wider completion, including targeted one-day training sessions for social workers. The organisation Ambitious About Autism had been selected to provide training, reflecting a high standard of delivery. Discussion included concerns about costs for extending access to external partners beyond council staff, with efforts underway to clarify licensing, delivery, and venue costs. Coordination will continue to explore options, including reviewing other providers like Helping Hands.

Community Engagement
Tracey Walton provided an update on engagement activities. A co-produced adult autism questionnaire has been completed and will be adapted into an easy-read format for wider distribution. Board members were invited to undertake easy-read training to support this work. Additional engagement tools for children, young people, and carers are being researched, and collaboration between engagement and education groups is planned. A recent Autism Awareness Day event in Norwich received positive feedback, and there was agreement to hold a similar event in Great Yarmouth.

Data Collection
Improvements in recording autism data across the council were reported. An autistic person has been placed with Norfolk County Council to develop an Autism Dashboard, which will aggregate available data, identify gaps, and inform future data needs. Once developed, focus groups will review the dashboard requirements. The Public Health Autism Needs Assessment has been circulated and approved by members for wider distribution.

Diagnostic Pathways
The report mapping autism diagnostic pathways for adults and young people is nearly complete and expected to be finalised shortly. Changes have been made to service specifications, with Norfolk Community Health and Care commissioned to deliver diagnostic and pre/post-diagnosis support services. Work is ongoing to improve the service and reduce waiting times. There were concerns about communication to people currently on waiting lists, with requests for clearer updates from providers. Board members agreed that the partnership will ensure relevant information is shared appropriately.

Education Update
As reported by Tracey Walton and Maxine Blocksidge, early-stage work is underway to address education needs related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), drawing on recent public forum discussions. The council has approved a significant capital investment programme to create more special resource base places in schools. Several workstreams are focused on SEND transformation, prioritising co-production with families and providers. Some members noted that while the long-term plans are positive, there is concern about limited immediate impact for current students and families.

Public Forum Feedback
Mark Rushen gave a brief report on the recent public forum meeting held on 14 May 2019. The meeting included strong parental and carer voices, particularly around education issues. While the atmosphere was sometimes challenging, key successes in training and data work were acknowledged. Suggestions were made to restructure future public meetings to include more individual sessions with commissioners and representatives, rather than full group forums, to improve engagement and reduce negativity. The board recognised the need to balance open forums with support for individuals.

Independent Review Findings
James Bullion introduced Clare Charlwood, who had conducted an independent review relating to autism services. She presented an overview of the review scope, methodology, and findings, while respecting participant confidentiality. The board unanimously accepted the recommendations from the review. Tracey Walton was tasked with incorporating these recommendations into communication and engagement plans and developing an implementation plan.

Autism Strategy Update
Tracey Walton reported on the draft Norfolk Autism Strategy. The strategy has been co-produced through multiple channels, including one-to-one meetings, public forums, working groups, and events. Feedback has been gathered at every stage. The strategy is expected to be signed off by Norfolk County Council’s cabinet in August 2019. Board members were asked to return to their organisations to endorse the strategy. Some formatting concerns were raised, including terminology and use of emoji faces, which will be addressed. The Autism Needs Assessment report was also approved by the board for publication alongside the strategy.

Draft Standards
Following the independent review, the board agreed to revisit the draft standards initially proposed and instead develop volunteer agreements. Tracey Walton will lead this work.

Next Steps and Actions
Outstanding actions include following up on the EHCP powerpoint distribution, examining costs and logistics to expand autism training access to wider partners, continuing development of the Autism Dashboard and diagnostic service improvements, planning the next Autism Awareness event in Great Yarmouth, and finalising and promoting the Autism Strategy following cabinet approval. The next Norfolk Autism Partnership Board meeting was scheduled for 18 July 2019.

Summary
The Norfolk Autism Partnership Board meeting focussed on ongoing improvements in autism training, engagement, data collection, diagnostic pathways, and education within Norfolk. The board endorsed key reports and strategies, accepted recommendations from an independent review, and discussed ways to improve communication and public meetings. Steps were agreed to ensure continuous collaboration among local authorities, health services, voluntary sectors, and autistic people and their families for better autism support across the area.