HOW CAN LOCAL PEOPLE VALIDATE THE
SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR AUTISM?
BACKGROUND
 The annual self-assessment is a document which is filled in
every year by the local authority lead for autism, the Clinical
Commissioning Group lead and departments across the
council.
 It is “intended to identify local progress in implementing the
national strategy and for demonstrating accountability”.
[Michael Swaf field, National Policy Lead for Autism at the
Dept of Health].
 What does the self-assessment look at and how is the
information used? (colour coded snapshot plus key text and
case studies).
THE SELF-ASSESSMENT PROCESS
 Two previous exercises: 2012 and 2013.
 Last year’s completed self -assessment frameworks or SAFs
can be seen on the IHAL Public Observatory website
http://www.improvi nghealthandli ves.org.uk/projects/auti sm 2013
 The 2013 SAF was expected to be validated by people with
autism but very few authorities managed to do this properly.
 The third SAF process starts in November 2014 and ends early
February 2015. Validation is mentioned again……
 The validated SAF is sent to the local Health and Wellbeing
Board.
VALIDATION – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
YOUR TASK:
 Take 5 minutes and talk to your neighbour about what
validation could mean in the SAF context.
VALIDATION – WHAT IT MEANS
 “Gathering evidence”
 “Checking something”
 “A process for proving something”
 “Confirming something as accurate or correct”
WHAT WILL NEED TO BE VALIDATED IN
THIS YEAR’S SAF?
Every area is working on a set of local priorities for autism.
 YOUR TASK: (20 mins)
Think about the local priorities for autism in your area and decide
how local people can engage now so that the local authority can
start the process of validation for this year’s SAF.
Useful tip: think of examples of good practice where people with
autism have been involved in an on -going way with the work of
their local authority so that they are in a position to validate the
SAF year on year.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR LOCAL
PRIORITIES, COME UP WITH A FEW OF YOUR
OWN FROM THIS LIST
Themes from Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives:
1. Increasing awareness and understanding of autism
2. Developing a clear and consistent pathway for diagnosis
3. Improving access to services and support for people to live
independently in the community
4. Helping people with autism into work
5. Enabling local partners to develop relevant to meet
identified needs and priorities
You can share your ideas this afternoon.
WITH YOUR LOCAL PRIORITIES IN MIND….
YOUR TASK: (20 mins)
1. Come up with 3 really good reasons why it is important for
the local authority to engage with local people on an on going basis?
2. There are lots of dif ferent types of engagement activities:
which do you think would work best?
Useful tip #1: activities must be do -able, timely, effective,
efficient, beneficial to all and honest.
Useful tip #2: A single engagement activity will not suit all
situations.
EXAMPLES OF ENGAGEMENT ACTIVIT Y
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Satisfaction surveys
On-line questionnaires
A flow of information back and forth
Co-design and co-delivery of training
Involvement in key meetings
Being consulted in advance via carers centres/local parent
groups
Sharing diagnostic experiences to improve the service
Special events – eg World Autism Day
Involvement in decisions before minds are made up
Setting up support groups
Setting up working groups
Liaising with community and voluntary sector providers
NEXT STEPS….
Useful tip #1: gather your thoughts for this af ternoon’s
discussions
Useful tip #2: think about how the Nor th East Autism
Consor tium can help
Useful tip #3: Talk to your local authority lead for autism about
putting together a formal engagement or par ticipation plan