Hampshire’s response to the National Autism Strategy

The Hampshire Autism Strategy for Adults is the first of a two part ‘across the lifespan’ autism strategy. The second part, the Hampshire Autism Strategy for Children, is expected in 2013.

The Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB) has developed this strategy through consultation with people with autism, parents and carers, staff who work with people with autism within voluntary, independent and public sector organisations. The strategy also responds to the central government guidance and legislation and to other priorities that have been agreed locally.

The Draft Autism Strategy consultation is now closed and a summary report of the feedback from the consultation will be published in the autumn with details of the launch of the finalised Hampshire Autism Strategy for Adults.

Hampshire Autism Partnership Board

In Adult Services, the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board (HAPB) has been set up to be a decision making body which will share information and develop a strategy to improve services for people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) in Hampshire. The Board also has good representation from leads in autism from Southampton, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Working closely with each other means the strategy will enhance a countywide approach to the needs of autism.

The Board (chaired by deputy Director Richard Ellis) has representatives from health and social care,(across learning disabilities and mental health) voluntary and statutory services, specialist and mainstream, service users and families, to improve access to better local services by all adults and young people with autism and their families. It will also ensure consistency and equality in services .

Minutes from HAPB meetings:

Future dates set for the Board to meet are:

08 May 2012 (10.00 - 12.00)
11 September 2012 (10.00 - 12.00)
11 December 2012 (14.00 - 16.00)

Hampshire autism self-assessment

Hampshire autism self-assessment - Department of Health February 2012 192kb

The self-assessment shows the progress by the Hampshire Autism Partnership Board's to the national autism strategy 'Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives'. Other actions being undertaken by Board are also seen in the workstream action plans below.

Workstream action plans

Hampshire Autism Voice

Hampshire Autism Voice (HAV) is the parent, carers and service user group established from the HAPB to ensure the full participation of service users and carers in its work.

This group has been developed to give a voice and active involvement to people with autism at the HAPB, the autism strategy work streams and to actively participate in the planning, delivery and monitoring of services for people with autism living in Hampshire.

See the HAV terms of reference 40kb

The Group is made up of representatives from:

Autism Commissioning Officer
People with autism who live in Hampshire
Family and carers supporting a person with autism

Briefing papers presented to the HARB

For more information about how Hampshire is responding to the Department of Health's 'Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives' please contact Gill O'Leary or Linda Burgess, from the Commissioning Team: gill.o'leary@hants.gov.uk or linda.burgess@hants.gov.uk

County Autism Group (Children's services)

In Children's Services, there is already a County Autism Group, which focuses on the needs of children with autism and their families across education and social care.

The County Autism Group (CAG) meets termly. It has parental representation and, whilst primarily established to address educational issues, it includes representatives from both health and social care and from a voluntary organisation. The group has been responsible for a variety of initiatives over a number of years. It is attended by educational psychologists and SEN inspectors who have received intensive training in working with children with autism and who have built up considerable experience and expertise in the field.

The purpose of the group is:

To provide advice to the SEN Service, through the SEN Management Team, on a range of issues relating to the provision and policies for SEN including
- good practice and development
- identified needs/gaps in provision and resource levels to meet needs
- outreach and building capacity in maintained schools
- family support
- curriculum
- links with other agencies
- funding bids
To participate in the drafting and implementation of strategic plans
To advise and comment on county documentation
To assist with the implementation and evaluation of the SEN action plan, related to BESD
To foster and support the implementation of relevant teaching and support strategies within schools and early years settings
To maintain an overview of current research, legislation, guidance and advice on what constitutes best practice (e.g. published research, DCSF literature and initiatives, views of specialists groups and related voluntary organisations), according to role
To advise on how children and their parents might be involved in planning and provision
To focus on outcomes for children with special educational needs and their families
To facilitate communications and networking between schools, service providers, statutory and voluntary agencies and parents.

Autism Participation – Have Your Say Report

The council organised participation events to get people’s views to help develop an Autism Strategy for Hampshire. The events invited views from all people with autism spectrum conditions, including Aspergers, relatives, carers and anyone who works with people with autism.

There were 255 responses - from people with autism, siblings, parents and carers and professionals. Thank you to everyone who participated, and for providing such valuable views and comments.

View the Autism Participation Report September 2011

The following documents remain on the website as a reference for the Autism Participation Report and for other Local Authorities who may be interested .

The target audience included people who live within Hampshire or use Hampshire's services, their parents and carers and those who work with people with autism within Hampshire. Information obtained from people outside of Hampshire have been given to the respective local authority autism lead, so that the views of people are recorded in the right area to assist with local autism planning.

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