Terms of Reference and Proposed Membership of Knowsley Autism Services Development Group Purpose To oversee and coordinate the planning and delivery of services for adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions in Knowsley To oversee the identification of the needs of all adults with an Autism Spectrum Condition and their families/carers To ensure all members are clear what their responsibilities are, in relation to service development, and make a commitment to being a member of an ASDG. To gather evidence in Knowsley of the need for development of services e.g. projected school leavers with an ASD and their associated needs for services as adults To set achievable targets, to prioritise them and to measure improvements against those targets To review progress against agreed goals and targets in local, regional and national plans To gain knowledge about and link in to other existing groups that are not autism specific, but which have a responsibility to look at issues which would have an impact on the lives of people with an ASD e.g. housing, transition, leisure, etc. The group will establish ways to promote the needs of people with an ASD and ensure that autism is kept on the agenda within these non-specific groups. To work closely with the Children’s Autism Development Group in Knowsley Accountability The ASDG will be accountable to Health and Wellbeing Commissioning Board and will provide reports on progress and the commissioning of any services Knowsley Autism Service Development Group (Adults) key objectives Increasing awareness and understanding of autism among frontline professionals. Developing a clear, consistent pathway for diagnosis in every area, which is followed by the offer of a personalised needs assessment Improving access for adults with autism to the services and support they need to live independently within the community. Helping adults with autism into work Enabling local partners to plan and develop appropriate services for adults with autism to meet identified needs and priorities. Frequency of meetings 2 monthly Process of meetings The ASDG meetings and linked activity will be organised so that everyone involved can contribute. This means that: people with ASC and family carers will direct how they can best be supported to contribute to the meetings or will identify other forums or methods of contributing to the ASDG that better suit their preferences and needs. Core membership o Integrated Commissioning Manager: Vulnerable Adults & Self Directed Support– Debbie Lawson – Chair o Head of Speech and Language Therapy – Five Borough’s – Lorna Pink – Co-Chair o Family Member – Pat Hagan o Family Member – Mrs Bonfield o Quality Assurance Manager: Mental Health – Andy Milne o Integrated Commissioning Manager Mental Health – Gordon Jones o Service Development Manager : Adults – Jez Hunt o Training & Workforce Development: - Jean Perkins o Provider Services: Tracy Henry (CIC) o Provider Services: Belinda Colmer (KMBC) o Community Learning Disabilities Team – Michelle Lawler o Project Officer: Supported Employment – Ray Rooney o Consultant Psychiatrist – Vikram Palinasamy o Adult Placement Manager – Jill Lockett o Brothers if Charity – Paul Jones o Alternative Futures – Andrea Wood o Partnerships Officer – Stuart Sheridan o Operational Day Service Manager - Adults of Employment Age – Barry Kelly o CIC – Howard Rice o Jobcentre Plus – Jann Taylor o NAS – Clare Hughes o GP. To be identified