Agenda item

Presentation from Naomi Smith, Head of Health and Adult Services Planning, North Yorkshire Council and Kirsty Kitching, Assistant Director for the North Yorkshire Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Partnership, Humber & North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

 

The Chairman invited Roger Tuckett to ask his question at this point.

 

Members may recall the questions I asked at its meetings on 17th June 2022 and

13th December 2023. I also asked a question at the Council’s Executive Committee

meeting held on 6th February 2024.

On 30th January 2023 I was told by the Lead for the Consultation that no further time

outside the various consultation sessions would be available to discuss my

fundamental concerns, and within such sessions, she needed to give priority to

others. However, following my question in February, Cllr Michael Harrison has

welcomed my contributions and suggestions and has agreed to meet with me, initially

for one hour, on 19th March 2024 as part of the consultation.

Para 2.4 of the Report to this Committee on 16th December 2022 stated: “CYP have

conducted a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) Special Educational Needs

and Disabilities 2020/21 and HAS have published a JSNA for Learning disabilities

that includes autism.” Yet 80+% of Autistic adults do not have a learning disability.

No-one commented on this at the time. The need for a proper JSNA slipped through

the net.

A recently identified “Autism Data Pack” dated October 2023 first surfaced at the

Executive Members and Corporate Directors meeting on 3rd November 2023, but was never incorporated into the material shared with the public as part of the consultation process. Most public consultees will remain unaware of this important document.

The Data Pack indicates major recent increases in prevalence, diagnosis and need

for adult autism services, this information being absent from the Draft Strategy.

Two written questions to the Consultation Lead (via emails dated 9th and 13th

February) remain unanswered: on Lived Experience numbers within Steering Group

membership and the current status of JSNAs.

I had requested in December for YaaaG’s “Manifesto” be circulated to both

Councillors and the Steering Group. I have later forwarded a 3-page briefing paper

on JSNA matters and a 1-page “Way Forward” document suggesting a Leadership

Summit across the Health and Social care sectors in North Yorkshire and York, on

which some initial feedback has been positive, although no efforts appear yet to have

made to bring one about.

I conclude;

• Notwithstanding the implication in Cllr Harrison’s response in February that there

were several, there appears to be one and only one Autistic individual and no

organisation on the Steering Group representing all of children, adult, learning

disability and parent/carer issues for Autism.

• Statutory Guidance requires first that any Autism strategy includes an up-to-date

detailed Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JNSA); and secondly that the

process is overseen by the appropriate Health and Wellbeing Board. Neither has

yet happened. Guidance on this latter requirement survives the creation of the

ICBs and its Place Partnership structures.

• No public access has been possible for the meetings and decisions of the

Steering Group, which meets and operates with limited transparency, overall

accountability or public oversight. Those making these decisions must be held to

public account, and this is best achieved if leaders and decision makers engage

in open, honest discussion and debate involving experts with lived experience.

 

* My question:

Given the absence of any up-to-date JSNA for Adult Autism for those without

Learning Disabilities, and given that the Autism Data Pack has been specifically

excluded from the present consultation, does this Committee expect Autistic

adults, their families/carers and the general public to have confidence in the

outcome of this process without significant additional work being undertaken first

to complete such a JSNA, and subsequently to share and engage with the

public upon it, to ensure compliance with statutory guidance?

 

The Chairman responded as follows:

 

“As the question is directed to the Committee and refers to the Autism Strategy, of which we are about to receive the latest update on, I suggest we have the presentation from Naomi and Kirsty and then I can seek a view from Members as to their response at that point .

Would Members agree? “.

 

The Committee Members agreed, and the following agenda item was taken.

 

Considered -  An update on the draft Autism Strategy from Naomi Smith, Head of Health and Adult Services Planning, North Yorkshire Council and Kirsty Kitching, Assistant Director for the North Yorkshire Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Partnership, Humber & North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

 

The presentation served to provide members with an overview of the draft strategy, 

the consultation aims, the approach and participation rates to date, to encourage discussion and feedback from Members of the Scrutiny of Health Committee in order to contribute to the consultation and a summary of the next steps.

 

Some of the key points identified were;

·       Working together to enable autistic people & their families to enjoy full, happy & healthy lives, this includes Health Services, Council Services and Key Partners

·       Timeline of consultation events and participation figures to date 

·       8 key priority areas of focus aligned to the national strategy and derived from extensive local engagement during 2023 with autistic people, their carers and partner agencies

·       Public consultation aims and approach, and how that looks

·       Encourage participation from the Committee

·       Consultation closes on 15^th March

·       Ongoing monitoring post implementation.

 

There then followed an opportunity for members to discuss the presentation and ask questions, this included the following comments and points;

 

There was praise for the presentation and the sessions that had been run in the community of which some members had attended. There was also commitment that there would be further contributions to the consultation.

 

It was noted that there could be parallels with the dementia friendly scheme and inclusive communities was a key area,  how would this be developed?

Inclusion begins with people and conversations were the start of that inclusion. There would continue to be collaboration with partnerships and contribution from other departments eg. libraries, leisure and culture who are at the heart of our communities working with people.

Conversations with relevant heads of service had already begun in drafting the strategy and working together would continue to move forward successfully.

It was also noted that wider community involvement such as sensory awareness in supermarkets and retail outlets are crucial to successful understanding for all. An accessibility survey of retail would be beneficial as there is an opportunity for improved public education.

 

Why is the diagnosis rate increasing from approx.1% to approx. 2%?

Many factors are contributing to this but primarily it is the increased awareness and understanding of the condition. There is better recognition and support for people than in previous times and its more acceptable for people to present themselves for a diagnosis. . Members requested further information about autism to increase their own awareness and understanding – this would be provided by officers after the meeting.

 

It was noted that there could potentially be a higher risk of homelessness amongst the autistic population.

There is a recognised shortage of housing, and the Council is working across departments, with the NHS and with local landlords on this. A needs analysis is underway to support this.

 

It was questioned why there was a low number of consultation responses received?

Many paths of publicity have been utilised, including mailing lists, media publications, website posts, events, communications in health settings and schools, utilising SEN coordinators and word of mouth. Copies of surveys have been available at all events for participants to take away and share with their networks. Consultation participation rates have been reviewed and actions taken to increase participation in groups with lower response rates, for example in specific areas and further promotion via schools to increase involvement from young people. Members of the Committee were asked to encourage people in their local communities to participate.

 

Is there confidence in the consultation outcome and the strategy?

Absolutely yes. With regards to data, there is recognition of some gaps but work is to be done in these areas.

 

It was concluded that a JSNA was in fact a snapshot in time and up to date data that has been used in the strategy consultation is more beneficial and by having a 2 way ongoing conversation we are always learning and improving. The data is live and will  change and alter as we move, but we will need as much information from as many sources as we can possibly get to evolve into the best outcome.

We will continue to look forward, listen and learn.

 

Mr Tuckett then made the following supplementary statement/question.

 

There is a perceived lack of leadership on the agenda across agencies and he proposes to run a leadership summit on the issue. Would the chair be willing to join such a summit if invited?

 

The Chair stated if invited he would endeavour to attend.

 

Resolved – The Chairman revisited the question and asked the Committee for their views on their confidence in the strategy.

Members unanimously agreed that they have every confidence in the strategy and the consultation process.