Agenda item

To receive an update on Autism Services Commissioning for Children and Young People in Hampshire, from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The committee received a report and presentation from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups providing an update on Autism Services Commissioning (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). This was part of the regular updates provided to the committee as requested in September 2020 to inform it of progress made towards improving access to Autism Spectrum Condition assessments and the supporting services.

The committee received a background to the situation and noted that in November 2020 significant investment was identified which enabled the procurement of a long term assessment service alongside a service specification redesign.

This service is provided by Psicon Ltd and commenced on 1 October 2021 with a 2.5 year contract with the option to extend. The committee heard that waiting lists had dropped from c.1750 to c.1000 and waiting times have reduced from c.35 months in September 2020 to c.11 months. It was noted that referral rates continued to be high and so additional support services had been commissioned.

The committee were also informed of the other services being made available; the Wellbeing Support Service, Autism Hampshire Workshops & Barnados Parenting.

The committee acknowledged that the main issues facing the service moving forwards was the high referral rate and expectations of the families involved. Additionally, it was identified that there were challenges resulting from the diagnosis led culture and inclusivity of educational settings.

In order for Autism Commissioning Services to continue to improve, it was identified that robust monitoring was required with a focus on waiting times alongside the securement of long term early intervention support services. There were also plans to develop a multidisciplinary referral panel to reduce referral rates and re-establish the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Adult’s Social Care Transformation Group.

In response to questions members heard that:

• Services were moving towards allowing access if individuals were displaying the relevant traits, in lieu of a formal diagnosis (although this was still required for Housing).
• That c.120 referrals were received each month, an increase of 20%, which had an impact on services ability to manage.
• Funding per head had remained consistent in light of the increased numbers, but diagnosis remained within the expected limits of 2.8-4% of the population, despite the increase in referrals.
• Those on the waiting list were assessed for urgency with waiting for Military families, Looked After and Adopted Children etc. There is a requirement for two agencies to refer each individual.
• The SENCO role should act as a resource for each school to support and refer those who present as possibly on the Autistic Spectrum. Hampshire Autism are also working to help equip schools with the tools required on this and female masking of Autism.
• There was an underlying issue surround the number of professionals available for the roles needed to meet demand but that this was a national issue.
• Services were located based on previous CCG localities, making use of community buildings such as libraries.
• The service had estimated it would take three years to reach the national targets in relation to waiting times.

On behalf of the committee, the Chairman thanked the Associate Director for the presentation and the regular updates provided over the last year.

RESOLVED: That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the update.