We are working together with partners to develop a new Bexley Autism Strategy. It is important that the strategy is based on the experiences and views of autistic people and the people who care and support them.

We want to hear from you to make sure we are working on the most important things. You do not need to have a formal autism diagnosis to take part in developing this strategy. You are also welcome to get involved if:

• you self-identify as autistic
• you are waiting for an autism diagnosis
• you are a parent or carer of an autistic person
• you work with autistic people

We all communicate differently so we want to make sure that as many people as possible can share their views with us. If you have things you would like to let us know, you can:

• email us
• write to us at Bexley Mencap, 19 Church Road, Bexleyheath, DA7 4DD

We will be holding a range of in person events with local charities so that people can share their thoughts. Contact us if you would like to join one of these events.

We will also be holding some events online. You can view dates for online workshops and book a space

Next steps

We will look at everything that people have told us and use this information to write a draft version of the Autism Strategy.  We will share this with everybody who has taken part in the workshops and survey, or sent us information, to check that the strategy covers the most important things that people told us.  We will also write an action plan that will show what things will be done to help us achieve the strategy.

The National Autism Strategy 2021 to 2026

Our local strategy will also need to reflect the national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026. The national strategy is designed to improve the lives of autistic people and their families and carers in England. It builds on and replaces the preceding adult autism strategy, Think Autism, which was published in April 2014.

The refreshed strategy extends its scope to children and young people for the first time. The 2021 to 2026 strategy focuses on six themes:

• Improving understanding and acceptance of autism within society
• Improving autistic children and young people’s access to education and supporting positive transitions into adulthood
• Supporting more autistic people into employment
• Tackling health and care inequalities for autistic people
• Building the right support in the community and supporting people in inpatient care
• Improving support within the criminal and youth justice systems

Bexley Autism Partnership Board

The Bexley Autism Partnership Board brings together a range of partners to oversee the implementation of the Borough’s Autism Strategy and Action Plans.

Our aim is to improve services that support and meet the locally identified needs of people with autism, their families and carers in line with statutory guidance.

The board meets regularly with a commitment to meet at least every two months. A wide range of organisations and individuals are represented on the board, including the Council, NHS South East London Integrated Care Board, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Job Centre Plus, Care Providers, Voluntary Groups and autistic people and their carers.

For further information, please contact:

Steven Burgess, Policy and Strategy Officer, London Borough of Bexley

Email: steven.burgess@bexley.gov.uk

Telephone: 020 3045 5242