Agenda item - Brighton and Hove Adult Autism Strategy

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached)

RESOLVED - That the Board notes the Brighton and Hove Adult Autism Strategy 2023-2028 and accompanying action plan.

23.1    The Board considered a report of the Executive Director, Health and Adult Social Care which set out the Brighton and Hove Adult Autism Strategy for 2023-2028 and associated action plan. This strategy had been developed through extensive engagement with the local community and been agreed by the Brighton and Hove Autism Partnership Board. The strategy focused on six key themes to improve the wellbeing of local autistic people, their unpaid carers and members of their support network.

23.2    Lorne Power presented the report accompanied by Ellis Thistle and Rachel Fricker who had provided input and were able to give their perspectives as autistic service users. The key points in the strategy based on the engagement work which had been carried out were highlighted, outcomes achieved to date and actions proposed to achieve the strategy outcomes in the longer term and next steps were outlined.

23.3    The Executive Director stated that he had learned a huge amount from Chairing the Board which had resulted in an Action Plan from Year 1, it represented a really positive piece of co-production.

23.4    The Chair and Deputy Chair welcomed the report and the positive results which had been achieved by collaboration, this approach definitely provided a robust basis for future work.

24.5    In answer to questions it was explained that one of the issues identified was that there could be a disconnect between support available for the intersect between children and adults. It was important to get that right and that was one area on which there would be a particular focus.

24.6    Councillor West also commended the report and the resulting strategy which represented an impressive and well considered piece of work.

23.7    RESOLVED - That the Board notes the Brighton and Hove Adult Autism Strategy 2023-2028 and accompanying action plan.