Draft revised statutory guidance to implement the strategy for adults with 
autism in England
Consultation on new statutory guidance for 
local authorities and NHS organisations 
to support implementation of the adult 
autism strategy for England

Answer Booklet

Prepared by the Department of Health
Published: 7 November 2014
Consultation will end: 19 December 2014

About this answer booklet
This booklet contains the questions for consultation on the draft revised statutory guidance for local authorities and NHS organisations to support implementation of the autism strategy. 
It should be read in connection with the consultation document.

In line with the draft revised guidance, the booklet is divided into sections on:
1.	Training of staff who provide services to adults with autism
2.	Identification and diagnosis of autism in adults, leading to assessment of needs for relevant services
3.	Planning in relation to the provision of services to people with autism as they move from being children to adults
4.	Local planning and leadership in relation to the provision of services for adults with autism
5.	Preventative support and Safeguarding in line with the Care Act
6.	Reasonable Adjustments
7.	Supporting people with complex needs, whose behaviour may challenge or who may lack capacity
8.	Employment for adults with autism
9.	Working with the Criminal Justice system

Please fill in your answers in the appropriate spaces in the answer booklet. You may add extra sheets if needed. Alternatively you can submit your views by emailing us at autism@dh.gsi.gov.uk 

Terminology
Throughout the consultation guidance, as in the Autism Strategy Think Autism, we use the term “autism” as an umbrella term for all autistic spectrum conditions, including Asperger Syndrome. Many people with autism also have related hidden impairments such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia and language impairments as well as associated mental health conditions and linked impairments that may not be obvious to other people.

How to respond to the consultation
The consultation will run for a period of 6 weeks from 7 November to 19 December 2014. 
To find out more go to: https://www.gov.uk/ 
You can respond to the consultation in the following ways: In writing to:
Consultations Coordinator
Adult Autism Statutory Guidance Review Consultation
Department of Health
313A Richmond House
79 Whitehall London SW1A 2NS
By email to: autism@dh.gsi.gov.uk 
Online at: http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/
Printed copies of the draft statutory guidance and the answer booklet are available on request by emailing autism@dh.gsi.gov.uk or through postal address above to the Consultation Coordinator.
To obtain a printed copy of the consultation in a different format, including in easy read, please contact us via email autism@dh.gsi.gov.uk or by phone 0207 210 5391.
The Department of Health will be making available a toolkit to support local organisations and groups to run their own events. Further details can be found on our website https://www.gov.uk/ 
You may also wish to contact your local authority or local autism organisation about events that they may be holding in your area.
If you would like us to contact you regarding your answers on this booklet, please write your details below:

Name: 

Telephone number: 

1. Training of staff who provide services to adults with autism
We would like your views about the proposed guidance around training for NHS and local authority staff.
1.1	Do you think that this guidance explains the responsibilities that local authorities and NHS bodies have around training for their staff and is sufficiently clear about what they should be doing?

1.2	Is the guidance on responsibilities reasonable?

1.3	Do we need to highlight further the role that adults with autism and their families or carers should be playing in training programmes?  If so, how?

1.4	What else do we need to include to ensure specific specialist autism training is provided to staff that carry out statutory assessments?

1.5	Would a description in the guidance setting out outcomes to be met at a particular level of autism training be helpful?

1.6	Is there sufficient information on how health bodies should commission training?

1.7	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

1.8	Have you other comments on this section?

2. Identification and diagnosis of autism in adults, leading to assessment of needs for relevant services
We would like your views about the proposed guidance around assessment and diagnosis needs.
2.1 	Do you think this guidance explains the responsibilities that local authorities, NHS bodies have around assessment and diagnosis of autism for NHS and local authority staff and is sufficiently clear about what they should be doing?

2.2 	If you are a commissioner of local care services, are you clear about what your responsibilities are? Are they reasonable?

2.3 	If you are a CCG or other health body, are you clear about what your responsibilities are? Are they reasonable?

2.4 	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

2.5 	Have you any other comments on this section?

3. Planning in relation to the provision of services for people with autism as they move from being children to adults
We would like your view about the proposed guidance around transitions.
3.1 	Do you think that this guidance appropriately summarises the responsibilities from the Children and Families Act that local authorities and their partners have around transition from child to adult services for young people with autism?

3.2 	In terms of young people with autism approaching transition without SEN statements or Education Health and Care Plan, is there anything further we should we be highlighting in the guidance to ensure they receive appropriate support?

3.3 	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

3.4	Have you any other comments on this section?

4. Local planning and leadership in relation to the provision of services for adults with autism
We would like your views about planning and leadership for the provision of services for adults with autism locally.
4.1	Are responsibilities for leading and joining up local partnership arrangements sufficiently clear?

4.2	If you have autism, or are a parent or carer or someone who has, is there anything further that organisations should do to ensure that your voice is heard in local planning?

4.3	Is any further advice or guidance needed on data collection and using data to plan effectively?

4.4	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

4.5	Have you any other comments on this section?

5. Preventative support and Safeguarding in line with the Care Act
We would like your views on preventive support for the provision of services for adults with autism.
5.1	Are the new duties on delivering preventative support at each tier of prevention under the Care Act sufficiently clear in relation to autism services, including how to promote wellbeing for a young person transitioning to adulthood?

5.2	Do you agree with the description of preventative services provided?

5.3	Is it clear how to develop preventative services according to local needs?

5.4	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

5.5	Have you any other comments on this section?

6. Reasonable Adjustments
We would like your views on reasonable adjustments for the provision of services for adults with autism locally.
6.1	Is the approach to reasonable adjustments for people with autism sufficiently explained?

6.2	Are the responsibilities of public services clear in regard to making reasonable adjustments to support people with autism?

6.3	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

6.4	Have you any other comments on this section?

7. Supporting people with complex needs, whose behaviour may challenge or who may lack capacity
We would like your views on the following questions about the proposed guidance around protecting the rights of people with autism and supporting people with autism whose behaviour others may find challenging.
7.1	Do you think that this section of the guidance is sufficiently clearly worded and will be understood by health and social care professionals, commissioners, people with autism and parents/carers?

7.2	If not, what changes would you propose?

7.3	Does it cover all relevant requirements on the Mental Capacity Act, and the Mental Health Act?

7.4	Is the guidance sufficiently clear about what NHS and local authority organisations and staff should be doing to improve services for people?

7.5	If you are a commissioner of local care services, are you clear about what your responsibilities are?

7.6	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

7.7	Have you any other comments on this section?

8. Employment for adults with autism
We would like your views on helping adults with autism into work.
8.1	Do you think that this section of the guidance is clearly worded and will be understood by health and social care professionals, people with autism and parents/carers?

8.2	If not what changes would you propose?

8.3	Do you have any other comments on helping adults with autism into work?

8.4	How should local authorities ensure that social care support and planning for people with autism is working effectively with employment support, including Job centres?

8.5	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

8.6 	Have you any other comments on this section?

9. Working with the Criminal Justice system
We would like your views on the criminal justice sector and adults with autism.
9.1	What more could be included on how local authorities and the NHS should work with Criminal Justice System partners?

9.2	Is the process for Liaison and Diversion sufficiently explained?

9.3	Do you have any other comments on helping to support people with autism who come into contact with the criminal justice system?

9.4	For local authorities and health bodies – is there anything in this section that you are not already doing or have not planned to do and therefore consider it unreasonable due to reasons of affordability?

9.5	Have you any other comments on this section?

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