How can local people validate the self-assessment for autism?

1. How can local people validate the self-assessment for autism?

2. background • The annual self-assessment is a document which is filled in every year by the local authority lead for autism, the Clinical Commissioning Group lead and departments across the council. • It is “intended to identify local progress in implementing the national strategy and for demonstrating accountability”. [Michael Swaffield, National Policy Lead for Autism at the Dept of Health]. • What does the self-assessment look at and how is the information used? (colour coded snapshot plus key text and case studies).

3. The Self-assessment process • Two previous exercises: 2012 and 2013. • Last year’s completed self-assessment frameworks or SAFs can be seen on the IHAL Public Observatory website http://www.improvinghealthandlives.org.uk/projects/autism2013 • The 2013 SAF was expected to be validated by people with autism but very few authorities managed to do this properly. • The third SAF process starts in November 2014 and ends early February 2015. Validation is mentioned again…… • The validated SAF is sent to the local Health and Wellbeing Board.

4. Validation – what does this mean? YOUR TASK: • Take 5 minutes and talk to your neighbour about what validation could mean in the SAF context.

5. Validation – what it means • “Gathering evidence” • “Checking something” • “A process for proving something” • “Confirming something as accurate or correct”

6. What will need to be validated in this year’s saf? Every area is working on a set of local priorities for autism. • YOUR TASK: (20 mins) Think about the local priorities for autism in your area and decide how local people can engage now so that the local authority can start the process of validation for this year’s SAF. Useful tip: think of examples of good practice where people with autism have been involved in an on-going way with the work of their local authority so that they are in a position to validate the SAF year on year.

7. If you are not sure about your local priorities, come up with a few of your own from this list Themes from Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives: • Increasing awareness and understanding of autism • Developing a clear and consistent pathway for diagnosis • Improving access to services and supportfor people to live independently in the community • Helping people with autism into work • Enabling local partners to develop relevant to meet identified needs and priorities You can share your ideas this afternoon.

8. With your local priorities in mind…. YOUR TASK: (20 mins) • Come up with 3 really good reasons why it is important for the local authority to engage with local people on an on-going basis? • There are lots of different types of engagement activities: which do you think would work best? Useful tip #1: activities must be do-able, timely, effective, efficient, beneficial to all and honest. Useful tip #2: A single engagement activity will not suit all situations.

9. Examples of engagement activity • Satisfaction surveys • On-line questionnaires • A flow of information back and forth • Co-design and co-delivery of training • Involvement in key meetings • Being consulted in advance via carers centres/local parent groups • Sharing diagnostic experiences to improve the service • Special events – eg World Autism Day • Involvement in decisions before minds are made up • Setting up support groups • Setting up working groups • Liaising with community and voluntary sector providers

10. Next steps…. Useful tip #1: gather your thoughts for this afternoon’s discussions Useful tip #2: think about how the North East Autism Consortium can help Useful tip #3: Talk to your local authority lead for autism about putting together a formal engagement or participation plan