Agenda item

HACS

Two witnesses were in attendance – Toni and Stephanie Mullally – representing Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support (HACS). Members were informed that HACS had been founded in 1997 by parents in of children in Hillingdon affected by autism. It was confirmed that HACS supported over 300 families at present and had a large professional database consisting of teachers, SENCOs, health visitors and mental health professionals.

Councillors heard that services offered included advice and guidance, family support, educational workshops, an employability project started in 2015 and an adult support group. The age range of those supported by HACS ranged from 2 years 8 months to 59 years.  Members were advised that HACS was one of the only autism specific short breaks providers in the Borough providing weekend respite services for those aged 5 – 25 years. It was confirmed that autism was not classified as a learning disability or a mental health disorder. The term ‘high-functioning’ often used when referring to those with autism who did not have a learning disability was particularly unhelpful as it suggested that these individuals had less support needs; this was not necessarily the case therefore HACS avoided using this terminology.

The Committee requested further clarification regarding the effectiveness of the Government’s National Strategy on tackling autism. It was confirmed that there was now a clearer focus in terms of central Government legislation and attempts had been made to improve employment opportunities. However, although awareness was increasing, outcomes did not appear to be changing very much. On a localised level there was a more co-ordinated approach with agencies working together. It was noted that the National Strategy focused on adults. However, in Hillingdon, a decision had been taken to focus on children and families too. In response to their enquiries, Members were informed that it was difficult to access data in relation to autism therefore the tracking of outcomes locally was challenging. On a service level there had been a vast improvement since 2010 in terms of what was available for families to access; however, there was still a long way to go.

In response to questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that greater clarity was needed regarding the services provided by the local authority and how to access said services. It was reported that the information was currently not in a central location and was therefore not easy to locate. HACS received calls from GPs on a weekly basis asking how patients could get an autism diagnosis in Hillingdon. For those who were not eligible for specialist or statutory support, it was confirmed that availability of services was often an issue. It appeared that many Council officers lacked understanding of ASD. It was suggested that one option would be to train up a number of autism ambassadors across the Council (one ambassador per department) who could provide expertise in this area. Should the ambassador be unable to assist, a member of HACS could step in and offer support and expertise. The Committee was informed that Council departments did not appear to offer a joined up approach at present – families were often obliged to repeat themselves again and again when approaching different local authority departments which was exhausting and distressing. Members enquired whether a one front door approach would assist in addressing this issue. HACS felt this would be very welcome; ideally people with autism would be allocated a key worker to help them navigate services. A one front door approach would help to reduce the frustration and distress experienced by those with autism when trying to access support services.

The Committee was informed that very few adult referrals were received by HACS; possibly because their adult services were still being developed and had only been live for approximately one year. There was scope for working much more closely with local authority adult services; particularly to raise awareness of HACS. It was confirmed that the response to a HACS autism awareness day held in 2019 had been excellent with some 500 people in attendance. There had been a number of inspirational speakers– some on the autism spectrum themselves – who had been very well received. An April 2020 version of the event had been planned to engage with adults and shape the development of adult services. Unfortunately, this had been postponed due to the pandemic but would take place in 2021.

Members enquired whether transport facilities, libraries, parks etc within Hillingdon were easily accessible to those with autism. It was confirmed that HACS had been working closely with libraries and young people from the HACS employability project had been offered work there to gain work experience. One young person had been offered a permanent position. Members were advised that, having been trained by HACS, library staff were now very autism aware. In terms of other facilities, it was reported that autism-friendly cinemas in the Borough had been successful and outdoor gyms in local parks were also popular – particularly with younger people with autism. The Rural Activities Garden Centre was another great resource and offered a safe, sensory environment. HACS managed the tea rooms there.

In response to further questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that autism friendly letters would be greatly welcomed as people with autism often struggled to understand letters or were unwilling to open them. An easy read format would be extremely helpful.

In terms of physically navigating the Borough, the Committee was advised that this was extremely challenging for people with autism. It was suggested that autistic adults would welcome the opportunity to be consulted on matters which affected them directly. An example was given of a shopping centre which had introduced autism quiet shopping hours once every three months from 10-11 on Sunday. This was impractical as it was too infrequent and coincided with universal worship time.

In response to further questioning from the Committee, it was confirmed that the nationally recognised incidence rate of autism was approximately one in one hundred. Members were informed that more could be done to support children in care in terms of support networks for foster carers etc. Members were informed that HACS had a strong relationship with the paediatricians on the Looked After Children Board and regularly made recommendations to foster parents and adoption panels. At present HACS were working with the kinship team to ascertain what type of assessments should be considered to assist a young person who was struggling to get an autism diagnosis.

Councillors sought further clarification regarding HACS and their work within schools. It was confirmed that HACS carried out training sessions in schools and supported parents of children with autism at annual reviews, in exclusion cases etc. Members were informed that HACS had a strong partnership with head teachers and SENCOs and worked closely with both mainstream and special schools.

The Chairman thanked HACS for their contribution to the review and congratulated them on their excellent work.

Autism Training within the Council

Kate Kelly-Talbot, Assistant Director – Adult Social Work, updated the Committee on autism training within the Council. Members were informed that, within the Council, two levels of training were available to staff – a General Autism Awareness module and a 2-day specialist training course offered to those carrying out assessments; the latter had been undertaken by approximately 120 Adult Social Care staff members to date. It was confirmed that all staff in the Learning Disabilities and Autism Service had completed the 2-day training course. The Committee heard that a number of frontline staff could benefit from the autism awareness training; e-learning Autism Awareness training had been developed and had been launched in Feb 2020. This training was available to all staff, but further work was planned to promote uptake. A more targeted approach may be required, but this work had been slightly delayed due to the pandemic. 

New legislation was being brought in which would be closely monitored to ensure the Council’s autism offer was updated and refreshed as necessary.

In response to questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that the e-learning training was ready to be rolled out. There was a need to consider which departments to target first and whether to include it as part of officer induction. Members were keen for this e-learning to be rolled out as quickly as possible to raise awareness among staff and assist in addressing the issues raised by HACS.

Democratic Services informed Committee Members that, as agreed, an autism survey had been circulated to 25 service managers across Council frontline departments. A report would be compiled to appraise the Committee of the results of the survey in due course.

RESOLVED That the Committee:

1)    Gave consideration to the information provided in the verbal update; and

2)    Sought the views of the HACS witnesses and asked any necessary questions in support of the Committee’s Review.