Written question WQ82684

In our Programme for Government published on 15 June 2021, we set out our intention to provide effective, high quality and sustainable healthcare for the people of Wales. One of our main commitments to achieve this is to introduce an autism statutory code of practice on the delivery of autism services across Wales. We are well on the way to achieving this commitment. On 24 March 2021, the statutory Code of Practice was laid before the Senedd for a 40 day laying period and this concluded 17 June 2021.

The Code provides clarity to local health boards, local authorities and Regional Partnership Boards regarding the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act and the NHS (Wales) Act 2006 and the responsibilities and services they are required to provide to support autistic people in their day to day lives. The Code’s delivery plan outlines the first year of priorities for this Senedd Term. The effective implementation of this first phase of priorities will rely on collaborative working and learning from feedback provided by autistic people, their families and their carers.

We have also committed to undertaking a review of all age neurodevelopmental services and this work commenced in February this year. The review will take a whole systems approach to understand the current situation across the seven regions of Wales, including identifying the demand, capacity and design of neurodevelopmental services for children, young people and adults. The review is due to be completed by March 2022, and the final report will include options for future service improvement to create sustainable services. The results will also inform the next iteration of the delivery plan 2022-23.

Our National Autism Team continues to be an important enabler in providing support to autistic people and will have an important role in the implementation of the Code of Practice. The team works with partners across Wales in response to engagement with autistic individuals, parents and carers, together with professionals, to produce an extensive set of resources to increase awareness of autism and to support autistic adults and children, families, professionals and service providers. Recently the team has worked collaboratively with partners to deliver crucial, timely and appropriate support for autistic individuals during the different phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. The team also oversee the Integrated Autism Service, which offers adult diagnosis and support services for autistic people and for parents and carers. It is available in each of the seven regions in Wales.

Through the Third Sector Grants Scheme, we are currently supporting two autism projects over a period of 3 years from April 2020 to March 2023:

• the National Autistic Society’s Spectrum Groups which are establishing adult stakeholder groups to improve engagement and reduce isolation (funding up to £56,223 pa);

• Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru (ASCC) which is working with the Integrated Autism Service to provide specialist support in relation to employment, and benefit support for autistic individuals in South Wales (funding up to £300,000 pa).

A new Welsh Government integrated policy team – Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodevelopmental services was established in April 2021. This team will promote an integrated approach across health and social care, with links to education and other relevant policy areas such as housing and employment.