Richmond Joint Health and Social Care - Draft Adult Autism Strategy Consultation
Results updated 17 Sep 2013
The feedback collected through the questionnaire and events was collated, analysed and combined into a report outlining the points that were made. The report was then sent to everyone who expressed an interest in keeping in touch during the whole consultation process. Copies were also sent out with the first ever edition of the Richmond Autism News in December 2012.
The report was used to inform the final strategy which throughout the Spring of 2013 went through a formal decision making process being considered by a variety of management boards including those of the partnership. In May 2013 there was an announcement that the final Richmond Joint Health and Social Care Strategy for People with Autism Spectrum Conditions had been signed off by all required partners (Adult Services, Children Services and the Clinical Commissioning Group for Health). The announcement was also reported in fourth edition of Richmond Autism News.
There have since been 6 editions of the Richmond Autism News and it continues to be used to keep everyone who is interested up to date with what is happening regarding autism spectrum conditions in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
The Strategic Partnership has been extended to include Children’s Services to enable improved joint working between the Council, Health and Children’s Services. This new joint arrangement provides a framework and platform for delivery which is over and above the requirements set by the National Autism Strategy.
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Overview
The first ever national autism strategy, Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, was published in 2010 following landmark legislation in the form of the Autism Act in 2009, which ensured that the government was committed to transforming the way in which autism was addressed in England.
The Richmond Joint Health and Social Care Adults Autism Strategy will set out the vision, aims, objectives and plans of both health and social care for adults aged 18+ years who have or are seeking a diagnosis of autism. It will bring together key partners to ensure that there is commitment across agencies to improve services.
We have written the draft of this strategy and are now consulting in order to ensure that we provide an opportunity for adults on the autistic spectrum, their friends and families, community and voluntary groups, partner agencies and residents of Richmond to give us feedback. This consultation will give you the opportunity to advise us on any gaps and issues that are important for us to consider, and it will help us to make appropriate amendments to the draft strategy before we publish a final version.
Why your views matter
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames wrote the first draft strategy in partnership with colleagues in Public Health (NHS Richmond) setting out the vision, aims, objectives and plans of both organisations relating to health and social care for adults aged 18+ years who have or are seeking a diagnosis of autism. The aim of the strategy is to bring together key partners to ensure there is commitment across agencies to improve services.
Prior to the strategy being signed-off by the Council and Health Leaders, it has been agreed to consult and gather as many views as possible on the draft strategy, from: adults on the autistic spectrum, their friends and families, community and voluntary groups, partner agencies and residents of Richmond, to provide critical feedback and advise on any gaps and issues that it is important for the partners to consider, incorporate into the amended draft and ultimately inform and shape the final strategy before it is published.
What happens next
Once the draft was written, consultation was undertaken between 29th August and 4th October 2012. An on-line questionnaire was created with the draft strategy appended in the background documents, and paper-copies of the questionnaire and draft strategy placed in every library throughout the borough and in reception at the Council’s Civic Centre offices. An easy-read version was also made available to make it easier for service users to respond (possibly with help from support workers). A specific email address was also created with direct access for people to contact us with questions, comments or requests.
A link to the on-line consultation documents was sent out to a wide variety of private, voluntary and charitable organisations with a request for them inturn to distribute it more widely. A press release was issued resulting in articles appearing in the local press and a mention on Radio Jackie.
Two public meetings were held on the 9th October 2012 at 10am and 6.30pm to fit around people’s work and caring responsibilities and enable as many people as possible to attend. In the meetings the draft strategy was discussed in small groups using oral conversation and other formats of communication. An overview of the initial results of the survey was also shared at these events. The comments and feedback collected through the survey and public meetings were used to inform the final version of the strategy.
presentation at the consultation events
Areas
Audiences
- Residents
- Carers
- Community groups
- Parents
- People with disabilities
- People with learning disabilities
- People with mental health issues
- Service users
- Staff
- Voluntary groups
Interests
- Richmond Borough
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