Burstow issues statutory guidance on autism for councils and NHS bodies

The government has published statutory guidance for councils and local NHS bodies on how health and social care services should implement the autism strategy Fulfilling and rewarding lives.

The National Autistic Society said the final guidance was much clearer in terms of what local authorities and health bodies are expected to do, and what individuals can expect from them.

It praised the guidance for categorically stating that local authorities and the NHS:

• should provide autism awareness training for all staff
• must provide specialist autism training for key staff, such as GPs and community care assessors
• cannot refuse a community care assessment for adults with autism based solely on IQ
• must appoint an autism lead in their area
• have to develop a clear pathway to diagnosis and assessment for adults with autism
• need to commission services based on adequate population data.

Paul Burstow, Minister for Care Services, said: “It is unacceptable that adults with autism have not been getting the full and appropriate care and support that they need from health and social care services. [This] is a vital step forward in changing that picture.

“This government has set the direction of travel and it is now important that local commissioners and providers recognise this and identify where improvements need to be made. We will continue to review progress and will also look to publish key quality outcomes to drive improvements across the public sector shortly. This will build on today’s statutory guidance for health and social care services and will address employment, housing and other public service issues for adults with autism”.

Mark Lever, chief executive of The National Autistic Society, warned that as councils set their budgets, they need to take account of the new legal duties coming into force under the Autism Act. People with autism should not be allowed to continue to fall between the gaps in services, he added.

Lever said: “Now more than ever, they and their families need support. One third of adults with autism have developed a serious mental health problem as a result of a lack of support, and families tell us that they are often left struggling to cope. We are now at a pivotal point and must push to see this strategy turned into action”.

The NAS has developed a central online resource to support health and social care professionals in the implementation of the strategy. This information can be found here. www.autism.org.uk/autismstrategy