Norfolk Autism Partnership Board

Meeting summary

Norfolk Autism Partnership Board Meeting Summary
Date: Wednesday 16 July 2020
Venue: Microsoft Teams Meeting

What the Meeting Was About:
This meeting of the Norfolk All Age Autism Partnership Board (NAPB) focused on updates across various local autism-related initiatives, discussions on recent survey feedback, progress reports on working groups, and planning future activities. Key topics included review and approval of previous meeting minutes, the SEND Transformation program, findings from a Covid-19 survey related to autism, and updates on complaints procedures. The meeting also addressed actions needed to support better communication and collaboration among partners.

Main Updates and Discussions:
The meeting began with welcome and introductions, noting no declarations of conflict of interest. Lee Gibbons agreed to monitor the Code of Conduct for Board members.

Minutes from the previous meeting held on 3 June 2020 were agreed as accurate and would be published on the NAPB webpages.

An action log with 22 open items was reviewed. The Board discussed three key areas:

1. Autism Data Dashboard – Work was ongoing, with a target completion date of 30 July 2020. Members were reminded to submit relevant data to the autism email address before this date.

2. Compliments and Complaints Working Group – At the time of the meeting, no expressions of interest had been received to join this group. It was agreed that Tracey Walton would collaborate with complaints specialists from partner organisations to establish best practices. Instead of setting up a permanent group, volunteers and Board members would be gathered on an “as and when” basis to handle complaints and compliments, committing to follow complaints at least up to Stage 2 in the NAPB process.

3. NAPB Independent Website – The Engagement Working Group had developed an independent website for the Norfolk Autism Partnership. Feedback was being sought from Board members, with plans for a presentation in a future meeting. Screenshots would be circulated for further input.

Additional updates included a report from Tom Bassett regarding the Workforce Development Working Group. A tender for autism core competency training was not awarded locally, prompting changes in training priorities. An eLearning and day training pilot had been sent to ADASS and regional representatives, but some issues arose with training videos due to possible conflicts of interest. Alternative videos were being sought. James Bullion, in his role as ADASS President, would request feedback on the training from Eastern Region ADASS members.

A presentation was given by Michael Bateman, SEND & Area Partnership Transformation Lead, about the SEND Transformation program and the outcomes of the February 2020 Ofsted and CQC inspection. While some positive results were noted, three areas of weakness were identified: communication and co-production, services for young people aged 18-25, and Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). A written statement of action was to be published by 7 September 2020. Opportunities for Partnership involvement would be coordinated via Maxine Blocksidge. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for February 2022.

Tracey Walton presented initial findings from a recent Covid-19 and autism survey which launched on 1 June 2020 alongside the Local Autism Strategy. The survey was now closed and feedback was intended to guide future support and services. It was agreed that a more detailed discussion of the results would take place at the next Board meeting, with invitation extended to Jeremy Bone or another member of the Data Team. The presentation would be circulated to Board members, along with a request for information on how the data would be used in their work. This would help in providing feedback to the 161 people who responded to the survey in the October NAPB newsletter.

The Board also received an update regarding an ongoing complaint submitted to Norfolk County Council, related to Autism Norfolk Forum minutes. The Local Government Ombudsman had not yet made a decision, and the Board awaited this outcome as part of the NAPB Compliments and Complaints process.

Following recent feedback, the Engagement Working Group had developed a wellbeing check survey to be sent to meeting attendees after each Board meeting. The survey aims to provide consistent, honest feedback without pressure. Additionally, to reduce confusion, “NAPB” was removed from the titles of the Partnership Board Terms of Reference documents.

The meeting closed with a reminder that an online Autism day course was available for Norfolk County Council staff on a learning platform. Members were encouraged to promote this training among social care staff in their networks.

Key Decisions or Agreements:
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved and would be published.
Tracey Walton would work with complaints specialists to develop best practice for handling compliments and complaints without creating a full-time working group.
A presentation on the new independent NAPB website would be arranged at a future meeting.
James Bullion would seek feedback from Eastern Region ADASS members on the autism training pilot.
NAPB agreed to support the SEND Transformation program’s requests for help.
A more detailed discussion on the Covid-19 survey findings was scheduled for the next meeting.
The wellbeing check survey would be implemented after each meeting.
“NAPB” was removed from certain document titles to avoid confusion.
NCC members were asked to encourage completion of the new online Autism day course.

Actions and Next Steps:
All members to contribute data for the Autism Data Dashboard by 30 July 2020.
Tracey Walton to develop processes with complaints specialists, and later recruit volunteers to manage complaints and compliments on an “as and when” basis.
Presentation on the independent NAPB website to be organised.
James Bullion to request feedback on the pilot autism training from Eastern Region ADASS members.
Administrator to circulate the SEND Transformation presentation and the Covid-19 survey feedback presentation.
Attendance of Data Team representatives invited to the next Board meeting for a deeper discussion of Covid-19 survey results.
Members to provide information on using the Covid-19 survey data for feedback and future planning.
Wellbeing check survey to be sent to meeting attendees moving forward.
NCC members to encourage social care staff to complete the online autism training course.
Confirmation of next meeting dates: 9 September 2020 (11:00am-12:00pm) and 15 October 2020 (10:30am-11:30am), both via Microsoft Teams.

This meeting helped the Norfolk Autism Partnership Board keep on track with its goals, ensure continued focus on key issues affecting autistic people and their families, and set out clear tasks to improve services, support, and partnership working.