Norfolk Autism Partnership Board

Meeting summary

Norfolk Autism Partnership Board Meeting Summary
Meeting Date: Wednesday 29 January 2020
Location: Costessey Town Council, The Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, Costessey

Purpose of the Meeting
This meeting of the Norfolk All Age Autism Partnership Board (NAPB) aimed to discuss progress on local autism strategy priorities, share updates from various autism-related working groups, agree on actions to improve autism support and services in Norfolk, and plan future activities including engagement events. The meeting brought together board members including autistic adults, family carers, health and social care professionals, voluntary sector representatives, and local authority officers.

Main Updates and Discussions
Autism Data Dashboard
A key focus was the development of an Autism Data Dashboard. This project, led by Jeremy Bone, Delivery Manager at Norfolk County Council (NCC), aims to create a tool to track progress against the nine priorities outlined in the local Autism Strategy. The dashboard will help partners measure success across services and activities related to autism in Norfolk. The approach received board approval, and a nine-month plan will be developed to work collaboratively on this. Board members were asked to share details about how they currently capture progress against priorities and to identify data leads within their organisations to support this work.

Safeguarding Concerns
Walter Lloyd-Smith, Safeguarding Adults Board Manager, presented information about an ongoing safeguarding adult review related to hospital services. The board was invited to support the Safeguarding Board by sharing experiences at a co-production event. A planning meeting was set to establish a focus group for this purpose and to identify key questions for the independent review report.

Education Update
The scheduled update on education from Lorraine Stephen, Interim Head of Education High Needs Service, was deferred to the next meeting.

Autism Norfolk Forum (ANF)
Lee Gibbons from the Engagement Working Group provided an update on the Autism Norfolk Forum. The forum continues to be a space where autistic people, families, and professionals discuss local issues and share feedback. The board agreed to improve commissioner participation at these forums, create better communication materials including posters for upcoming forums, and build stronger support by identifying key individuals to invite regularly. Challenges in making the forum environment friendly and welcoming are recognised and being addressed.

Autism Strategy Implementation
Tracey Walton shared that a template had been created for partners to report on their progress implementing the local autism strategy. All members were asked to complete and return this by 28 February 2020 to help the board measure achievements and identify gaps.

Diagnosis and Engagement Working Groups
Reports from the Diagnosis and Engagement Working Groups were approved. The Diagnosis Group will review its membership to improve communication across working groups and the wider partnership. The Engagement Group is preparing the launch event for the updated autism strategy, scheduled for World Autism Week 2020. Discussion included venue options, funding support, and promotion plans. The board approved the application and consent forms for partnership membership, with some minor changes requested before a final version is shared for further feedback and approval.

Code of Conduct
An updated one-page NAPB Code of Conduct was presented, incorporating co-production principles. It was approved in draft form, with some wording changes suggested to clarify warnings and responsibilities. The final version will be shared for feedback at the next Autism Norfolk Forum and then signed off by the working group before distribution to all members.

Freedom of Information (FOI) and Complaints
The board recognised it does not operate as a legal entity and that Norfolk County Council is the data controller for the board's information. The Engagement Working Group will manage FOI requests on behalf of the board, with official sign-off by the NAPB co-chair or deputy. Board members were asked to direct members of the public with FOI requests about the NAPB to the appropriate email contact. A complaints process, co-produced by the Engagement Group, was approved and will be implemented. A review of this process is planned for six months’ time to assess effectiveness and common complaint themes. Members will direct complaints about the board to this process while volunteer-related complaints will follow the internal volunteering procedures.

Workforce Development
The Workforce Development Working Group report was approved. Members with relevant responsibilities were urged to ensure NCC staff complete autism-related eLearning, with a recommendation to widen this training offer to suitable education professionals.

Other Discussions
There was a request from a board member to use the phrase “people with autism in the community” rather than “Autism Community” to avoid any implication of segregation. This change was agreed without objection. Parking difficulties at County Hall were raised, prompting a pledge to explore alternative venue options for future meetings, such as Dereham Hospital, to improve accessibility for attendees.

Next Steps and Actions
The Data Working Group will develop a nine-month plan to create the Autism Dashboard, with priority-setting tables circulated to members by mid-March.
Members will share how their organisations measure progress on autism strategy priorities and provide contacts for data support roles.
Planning will continue for the safeguarding focus group event, with a meeting set for 18 March 2020.
The Autism Norfolk Forum will enhance commissioner participation and improve communication materials for future forums, with key supporters identified.
Partners will complete and return the autism strategy progress template by the end of February 2020.
The Diagnosis Group will review membership by April 2020 for better information flow.
The Engagement Group will lead on launching the updated autism strategy and questionnaire during World Autism Week, seeking partner funding and promoting widely.
The Code of Conduct will be refined after February forum feedback and finalised by mid-March 2020.
The Engagement Group will manage FOI requests and complaints on behalf of the board, reviewing effectiveness in July 2020.
Workforce Development efforts will continue promoting autism training for relevant staff and professionals.
Venue options will be explored to resolve parking and accessibility issues ahead of future meetings.

Future Board Meetings are scheduled for:
Thursday 16 April 2020 (10:30am - 1:30pm), Edwards Room, County Hall
Thursday 16 July 2020 (10:30am - 1:30pm), Edwards Room, County Hall
Thursday 15 October 2020 (10:30am - 1:30pm), Edwards Room, County Hall
Thursday 14 January 2021 (10:00am - 1:00pm), Edwards Room, County Hall

Overall, the meeting was productive with positive engagement from board members, with the focus on improving data use, safeguarding input, and effective partnership working to support people with autism across Norfolk.