Date & Venue:
14th April 2022, Microsoft Teams (Online Meeting)
Key Highlights:
- Leadership & Organisational Updates:
- Board meetings to be held every two months instead of quarterly.
- NAPB moving towards independence; procurement timeline outlined:
- March – June: Bidding and tender process.
- July: Bid review and provider selection.
- October: New provider takes over full operations.
- Plans for increased involvement from Children’s Services.
- Working Group Updates:
- Diagnosis:
- Waiting list wellbeing checks implemented.
- Progress made on defining Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).
- More representation from autistic individuals and carers still needed.
- Engagement:
- Independent website successful, with over 1,100 visits.
- Next Autism Norfolk Forum (ANF) to focus on Housing (June 2022).
- Autism Awareness Week 2022 activities planned.
- Workforce Development:
- Pre- and post-training quiz in development for “Understanding Autism” course.
- Autism training now mandatory for Norfolk County Council employees.
- Employment:
- Developing an autism employment resource list.
- Seeking an employer to act as an Autism Employment Champion.
- Diagnosis:
- Autism Norfolk Forum (ANF) & Employment Support:
- March 2022 forum focused on Employment.
- Concerns raised over lack of awareness of benefits and employment support.
- Next ANF to feature speakers from Norfolk County Council and Shelter.
- Future forums may trial hybrid in-person/online format.
- National Autism Strategy 2021-2026 Overview:
- Board reviewed key areas: employment, health, justice system, and education.
- Board to ensure local SEND strategy aligns with national strategy.
- Other Key Announcements:
- Board to support upcoming “Building the Right Support” Peer Review.
- Board agreed to use its logo on the PDA Position Statement.
- New recruitment drive for a Mental Health & Autism Specialist Nurse.
Next Steps:
- Continue transition to an independent NAPB provider.
- Host Housing-focused ANF in June 2022.
- Improve engagement from Children’s Services.
- Develop Autism Employment Champion initiative.
Next Meeting: New schedule to be arranged by the Coordinator.
To read the full minutes click here
