Autism [Wales] Bill Bil Awtistiaeth [Cymru] Cyfarfod Bangor Meeting 2017

Consultation on the Autism Bill Paul Davies Private Members’ Bill on autism drawn in ballot of all Assembly Members 29 March 2017 National Assembly for Wales debate ‘General Principles’ of an Autism Bill 14 June 2017. Vote in favour. Now has until 13 July 2018 to develop autism legislation – wants to consult widely 30 August consultation on Autism Bill published Consultation responses by 20 November Paul Davies Private Members’ Bill on autism drawn in ballot of all Assembly Members 29 March 2017 National Assembly for Wales debate ‘General Principles’ of an Autism Bill14 June 2017. Now has until 13 July 2018 to develop autism legislation – wants to consult widely As part of that process on 30 August consultation on Autism Bill published Consultation responses by 20 November

Key proposals: Overview To meet the needs of children and adults with autism spectrum conditions in Wales through autism legislation, underpinned by statutory guidance. I thought I’d spend a few minutes going through the main themes and questions in the proposed Bill Purpose is to meet the needs of children and adults with autism spectrum conditions in Wales through autism legislation, underpinned by statutory guidance -

Key proposals: Diagnosis ‘I believe that establishing in legislation the necessity of a clear pathway to diagnosis…would make sure that regardless of where you live and what age you are, you could access a diagnosis in a timely way.’ How easy is it to access a diagnostic assessment? Key challenges around the diagnostic process? Should Local Authorities and Health Boards be required to publish information on the pathway to diagnosis? Diagnosis is the first major theme in the consultation. It says that Receiving a diagnosis provides many individuals and their families with a measure of certainty and greater insight into the difficulties they experience.’ The consultation proposes to set in law the need for a clear pathway to diagnosis for each LHB and LA so that regardless where you live , or what age you are you could access a diagnosis in a timely way and then sets out a number of questions around this proposal

Key proposals: Delivery of Services ‘My intention is that Autism [Wales]Bill would ensure that Local Authorities and Health Boards understand the needs of children and adults with autism and provide a holistic range of services to meet them.’ Are there sufficient services in Wales that meet the needs of autistic people? Should there be duties on Health Boards and Local Authorities on how they should be delivering services? Should new data collection practices be established to help with the planning of services? The next theme is delivery of services My intention is that Autism [Wales]Bill would ensure that Local Authorities and Health Boards understand the needs of children and adults with autism and provide a holistic range of services to meet them’ Are there sufficient services in Wales that meet the needs of autistic people Should there be duties on Health Boards and Local Authorities on how they should be delivering services? And what should those duties cover: provision of services assessment cannot be denied on the grounds of a person’s IQ planning in relation to the provision of services leadership in relation to services Should new data collection practices be established to help with the planning of services? And if so – what would be the most effective method

Key proposal: Training ‘I intend that the Autism Bill will ensure that key staff working with people with autism, receive appropriate autism awareness understanding.’ Is the current training provision for staff working with autistic people effective? Would focusing on the outcomes that training should achieve be appropriate? Should legislation specify that certain staff have to undertake autism training? ‘I intend that the Autism Bill will ensure that key staff working with people with autism, receive appropriate autism awareness understanding.’ Is the current training provision for staff working with autistic people effective? Would focusing on the outcomes that training should achieve be appropriate? Or alternatively: Should legislation specify that certain staff have to undertake autism training?

Key proposals: Other Definition of autism Cost / Savings Governance Employment / Jobs Definition of autism – should there be one and where would it be? Main Bill, statutory guidance and accompanying documents Cost / Savings Employment / Jobs – ideas that could improve the rates of employment Governance – how an autism bill and guidance should be governed - Anything else that you’d like to see covered?

What’s not included Changes to employment law Welfare and benefits Education [ALN Bill] Changes to employment law – national minimum wage, parental leave – your statutory rights Welfare and benefit payments – not devolved to Wales Education [ALN Bill]

Closing date for responses 20 November 2017 Summary A bill that meets the needs of autistic people Clear pathway to a diagnosis Duties to provide services Data collection Training Definition of autism Employment [jobs] Governance Costs / benefits Closing date for responses 20 November 2017 www.assembly.wales Bill that meets the needs of autistic people Clear pathway to a diagnosis Duties to provide services Data collection Training Definition of autism Employment [jobs] Governance Costs / benefits Closing date for responses 20 November 2017 www.assembly.wales