New All-Age Autism Strategy launched in Suffolk

Produced by Suffolk County Council, Suffolk and North-East Essex and Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Boards, the vision of the new strategy is that all autistic people in Suffolk, their parents, friends and carers are able to live fulfilling and rewarding lives in a county that accepts and understands them.

The strategy and action plan were both co-produced with autistic people, and their families, and includes their experiences and voices. Autistic people can often experience differences in how they process information, their sensory environment and how they interact with other people. While autistic people share some similar characteristics, they are also all different from each other, it was therefore important from the outset that this strategy looked to capture those differences.

Alongside the strategy an action plan was also published which looks to take the priorities outlined by the strategy, and autistic people in Suffolk, and deliver them. The priorities are:

• Improving acceptance, awareness and understanding of autism within society
• Building the right support in the community and supporting people in inpatient care
• Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people with a focus on needs lead by diagnostic pathways
• Improving autistic children and young people’s access to education, and supporting positive transitions into adulthood
• Supporting more autistic people into employment Improving support within the criminal and youth justice systems.

Speaking about the new strategy Cllr Beccy Hopfensperger, cabinet member for Adult Care said: "I am pleased that Suffolk will have a strategy that is not only covering the whole lives of autistic people but has also been co-produced with the experiences of autistic people at its heart. I look forward to seeing the progress made with the action plan, and creating a county within which autistic people can truly feel safe and accepted."

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet member for Education and SEND said: "Many people who have autism face barriers in their lives, including within education.

“I am proud that this autism strategy, and action plan, encompasses the whole life journey of a person, which includes our work to improve the outcomes of children and young people with SEND.”

Lisa Nobes, Chief Nurse, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “The new strategy and action plan are very much welcomed and represent a significant step forward in delivering on our commitment to helping ensure those living with autism can live happy and fulfilled lives, and that their families and carers receive all the support they need.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners and the county’s autistic community to drive this plan forward and make sure that it delivers a real and positive difference to people’s lives.”

The strategy and action plan are available on the county council’s website with hardcopies being sent to libraries across Suffolk.