Welcome to the North East Autism Consortium

1. The history of the NEAC

In 2007, an initiative began which involved the 12 Primary Care Trusts and 12 Local Authorities in the North East. Two years of funding was provided by the North East Centre for Excellence (NECE) to support the North East Autism Consortium (NEAC) development with the aim of improving the life chances and opportunities of people with ASC and Aspergers Syndrome. A post of Head of Consortium was established, as was the North East Autism Consortium itself, its Governing Board, and by August that year, four sub-regional Autism Service Development Groups were in place.

The NEAC Commissioning Standards Framework was produced and events were held around the region, to develop partnerships and to drive the development of commissioning strategies.

In April 2009, the NEAC successfully applied for development funding from the Joint Improvement Partnership (JIP) within the Regional Efficiency and Improvement Partnership (REIP) in order to move the consortium into the next phase of its development.

2. The aims and values of the NEAC

The consortium exists in order to encourage the development of person centred care and support packages which;

Meet the complex needs of individuals with ASC and Aspergers Syndrome

Help to create a variety of community connections and friendships

Are designed to meet the aspirations, of people and their families

Some Commissioners and Service Providers are already working together to successfully design individualised, cost effective packages which start to address the challenges of the ‘Personalisation Agenda’ in a national economic climate which is in decline. Other Commissioners and Service Providers struggle to modernise their practices and respond to change. The NEAC has influence, as a platform for debate, and as a network which can spread good practice around our region.

3. The participation of Local Authority and PCT Commissioners

Local Authority and PCT commissioners from all of the 12 organisations participate in the Consortium, by attending regular ASDG meetings and feeding back examples of modern commissioning approaches and good practice.

They also attend NEAC Board meetings 3 or 4 times a year along with other stakeholders and experts. This forum operates as a regional advisory group for services for people with autism and Aspergers, and is chaired by an ADASS Representative, Nicola Bailey, Director of Adult and Community Services, Hartlepool Borough Council.

4. The involvement of their important partners

Other professional partners provide information, advice and ideas which support the consortiums’ work. These partners work in fields such as Housing, Education, Mental Health services, The Probation Service and Specialist Providers from the Third Sector.

They attend ASDG meetings, but levels of engagement vary throughout the year around the region. ASDG chairs review their membership in order to identify ‘missing partners’. They agree with their group members how best to engage with them. This aspect of the Consortium still needs to be developed.

People with ASC and their families had been under-represented within the Consortium until stakeholder events were held last year. Individuals were given opportunities to describe their personal experiences and recurring issues and themes were included in the sub regional action plans. The ASDGs involved stakeholders in discussions regarding the priorities in their area which also needed to be included in their action plans.

5. The regional structure of the NEAC

A JIP Project Board has been created to deliver the plans and meet the requirements of the JIP project. The region has had four Autism Service Development Groups (ASDG) since the NEAC was formed. These subgroups have their own priorities and plans, and the chairs now form the JIP Project Board to encourage mutual support, collective planning and coherence across the region.

The NEAC retains its role and acts as an advisory forum, but reports will be presented at meetings regarding the progress of the JIP project. Information on incoming polices and good practice will be shared at the meetings and events organised by the consortium. Information will be disseminated to stakeholders and other interested parties via the NEAC website.

6. The current funding priorities

The JIP funding will provide

- A part time Project Manager post which will provide ‘the glue’ within the consortium and will support the successful delivery of the JIP project.

- A Service Provider’s Development Fund to encourage organisations to make the necessary ‘cultural shift’ towards the personalisation of their services.

- A resource budget for each of the 4 sub regional groups (eg to support the organisation of stakeholder events)

7. The key tasks for the next two years:

- Continue to develop the commissioning of modern, cost effective services for individuals with ASC and Aspergers Syndrome.

- Support the development of specialist and non specialist Service Providers ie the Development Fund provided by the JIP will support the delivery of a ‘Cultural Change ‘ training project involving both Service Providers (Board members and Senior Managers) and Service Commissioners (Health and Social Services). ‘Provider Champions’ who have already begun to personalise their services and make changes in their infra structure, will be acknowledged and supported to continue this work.

- The Development Fund will also support projects which will benefit the region, enabling two or three ASDGs to work collaboratively.

- Develop the work of the ASDGs and extend existing partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of the consortium and ensure the effective use of resources.

8. The function of the NEAC Project Managers’ Post

This post has been created to support the work of the ASDGs and to ensure that the delivery of their action plans leads to modern, cost effective care and support packages for individual with ASD and Aspergers.

The main tasks and responsibilities of this post are:

Providing support to the ASDG chairs to engage with stakeholders, particularly people with ASC and their families, and Service Providers.

Supporting the ASDGs to achieve the outcomes within the JIP application.

Preparing reports for the REIP on the progress of the JIP project.

Presenting the achievements and the plans of the NEAC, at meetings and events around the region.

Liaising with the web hosting agency to ‘makeover’ and maintain the NEAC site as the point of contact for the widest possible audience.

Liaising with complimentary JIP work streams, Learning Disability Partnership Boards, regional initiatives (eg In –Control) and national projects (eg Valuing People Support Team), to ensure the effective use of available resources.