Agenda item

Derbyn trosolwg o'r hyn y mae'r Cyngor yn ei ddarparu i gefnogi trigolion sy'n byw gydag Awtistiaeth.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication explained that as Members would recall at the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on the 9^th July 2019 Members requested an overview of the current autism support services available in Rhondda Cynon Taf in order to identify the most practical and effective way to improve outcomes and access to services for those living with autism, following the adoption of an amended notice of motion at the Council meeting on the 27^th March 2019.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications invited the Director of Adult Services to present his report.

The Director of Adult Services presented Members with an overview of the background relating to Autism and the broad areas in which all people with autism will experience difficulties in. 

Members were informed that the numbers of people diagnosed with Autism has increased and in turn has increased demand for diagnostic services for individuals of all ages across all services.

Members received an overview of the Service relating to Children & Young People (up to the age of 18 years). It was explained that diagnosis is undertaken by the Neurodevelopmental Team of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg. The multi-disciplinary team   provides specialist knowledge and skills for children and young people with complex neurodevelopmental conditions including ASD and attention –deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their families in the following areas:

·         Assessment

·         Diagnosis

·         Advise and intervention

·         Liaison with existing services within the Health Board, partners’ agencies and voluntary organisations.

In respect of adults the Cwm Taf Integrated Autism Service (IAS) provides diagnostic assessments for adults aged 18 years and over who are suspected of having autism. In addition to the provision of a diagnostic assessment. The Cwm Taf IAS provides;

·         Support for adults with autism with their social, communication, sensory, dietetic , leisure and employment opportunities and independent living skills via individual and group interventions;

·         Help parents/ carers of children with autism to understand and support behaviour that challenges their social, communication, sensory, dietetic ,leisure and employment opportunities and independent living skills via individual and group interventions.

·         Post-diagnostic support for adults with autism and their parents/carers

·         Autism training, consultation and advice to professionals working with people with autism.

·         Signposting o other appropriate local services.

The Director of Adult Services explained to Members that in order to support the Committee to develop its understanding of the challenges and experiences of residents in RCT, Officers from Education, Children’s Services and Health are present to give an overview of their service areas.

After taking Members through the report in great detail the Director of Adult Services welcomed Members questions and observations.

The Chair invited Non- Committee County Borough Councillor S. Evans to address the Committee and put forward her questions and observations.

Councillor Evans thanked the Chair for allowing her to speak and thanked Officers for a very comprehensive report and summary of services. She explained that one of her main concerns are how are people sign posted to the services and which is the most appropriate service to adhere to. Who co –ordinates support, who is responsible for looking after families going forward.

She continued to comment that some parents are turning to Facebook group and forums as they don’t know where to turn. If there was a directory provide by the health Board in conjunction with the Local Authority this would help. What role does the council have and how can it be improved.

The Director of Adult Services explained that we need to know what the individual needs, we need to work with the 3^rd sector and health to provide for individual needs as no two people who have autism are the same.

The Director of Children’s Services stated that access to services is a problem and Members agreed that there needs to be a central point of contact which can signpost those looking for help and advice to the right point of contact. It was suggested that some type of community co-ordinators could be put in place who could provide information to parents/ carers to access better services.

Members went on to suggest that it would be helpful to have a break down off what services are around for children and adults so that the Committee could assess areas of strengths and weaknesses.

Members felt there more work is needed on the transition from childhood to adulthood to make sure it becomes a smooth transition.  

A Member commented that early intervention is critical and the work being done by the Resilience Family Service is vital.

After further discussion Members suggested the following point as next step to facilitate the development of the proposals going forward.

Members RESOLVED to:

·         Acknowledge the content of the report;

·         Invite third party organisations to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Committee to discuss their views

·         Invite parents/ carers and service users to a future meeting to seek their views on how the authority can work with other to provide a better support network for those living with autism.