Below are some examples of structures for local autism partnership boards (APBs) that have made a significant difference to the services available in their areas. While the structures are different, the principles are the same: they bring together representatives from local authorities (LAs), primary care trusts (PCTs) and providers, along with adults with autism and their carers, to help develop services locally.
The first four examples are taken from the Department of Health's Towards 'Fulfilling and rewarding lives': The first year delivery plan for adults with autism in England (2010).
If you have information regarding an APB that you have set up, please tell us about it here.
Cornwall
The Cornwall Autism Partnership (CAP) was set up to develop better support for people with autism across Cornwall. CAP enables more effective joint planning of services for people with autism through collaboration between the local Department of Adult Social Care, Cornwall PCT and Cornwall Children, Schools and Families Directorate. CAP also links in with other trusts and partnership boards, including those focusing on learning disabilities, mental health, children and young people, carers and transitions. The joint commissioner with responsibility for autism chairs planning meetings at least every quarter. Attendees include leads from mental health, learning disabilities, children and young people, Connexions and housing.
Gloucestershire
The Gloucestershire Autism Partnership Board was set up in 2006. It meets quarterly to discuss and identify the needs of people with autism in the area and to help plan the development of local services. The group consists of senior commissioners, housing representatives, Connexions and other professionals, as well as adults with autism, their families and carers, and local voluntary groups. A key focus of the board is to work with mainstream agencies in order to develop better support for adults with autism. The board is also looking to develop autism-specific services.
Greater Manchester
The Greater Manchester Autism Consortium has been running for over ten years. It is based on a very localised model: every LA in the consortium has set up a multi-agency Autism Services Development Group (ASDG) consisting of representatives from all statutory agencies, parents and carers, and, in some cases, adults with autism. The chair of each local group is on the consortium steering group. The individual groups look at what can be achieved in the local area by improving current provision within resources, and by better informing the commissioning process. The consortium also funds The National Autistic Society's Family Services Development Project, which provides information, advice and support to families across Greater Manchester. Data from this project is then fed back to inform the commissioning process.
North East
The North East Autism Consortium (NEAC) was established in 2006 to develop a regional approach to addressing the planning and service needs of adults with autism. In particular, it is working towards the development of a regional commissioning strategy and addresses the lack of integration with service provision across health and social care. Four service development groups have been established in the region, each tackling a specific area of services.
Wokingham
Wokingham Borough Council has developed an APB called 'The Action4Autism Wokingham Adult Autism Partnership Board'.
Read the terms of reference for Action4Autism here.
The above case studies were first published in: Department of Health (2010). Towards "Fulfilling and rewarding lives": The first year delivery plan for adults with autism in England. pp25-26. Read the full report here.