Appendix A: Action plan priorities | London Borough of Bexley

Raising awareness - Autistic people feel valued, understood and part of our community"

The actions will be:

develop an awareness campaign to recognise autism acceptance week
set up an Autism Partnership Board communications working group
support the rollout of the Oliver McGowan autism awareness training
evaluate if an Autism Alert Card scheme would be of benefit in Bexley and if so, work to set it up
explore whether an Autism Friendly Borough Scheme can be set up in Bexley
work with local businesses and other venues to extend autism friendly provision e.g. quiet hours in shops
develop an autism friendly checklist for businesses and services
work with statutory partners (e.g. Bexley Council and health teams) to ensure their staff access good quality autism training

Support and services - Autistic people have information about, and access to, high quality support and services to thrive as individuals"

The actions will be:

develop a digital hub in partnership with autistic people to provide a single place for information about local services and support relevant to autism
create an Autism Partnership Board newsletter
develop a business case for support services for autistic people focusing on prevention and early intervention so that we are ready if funding becomes available
work with the voluntary sector to identify opportunities to increase availability of services and support to autistic people
consider how we hear from local autistic people, including young people, through creating an autism forum or similar

Being heard - Autistic people have more opportunities to be heard and to influence change in Bexley"

The actions will be:

update how the Autism Partnership Board work together making sure we have the right organisations involved. To improve involvement of autistic people and their families in the Autism Partnership Board
appoint an autistic person as Co-Chair of the Autism Partnership Board
publish a newsletter or 6 monthly Autism Partnership Board update which can be widely shared
use experiences of local autistic people to better influence local policy and services
conduct an annual survey based on the strategy survey which shapes the refresh of the action plan

Health and wellbeing - Autistic people have better health and wellbeing including timely access to diagnosis and more accessible services"

The actions will be:

to review and develop how the autism diagnosis pathways are promoted ensuring that they are accessible, clear and well publicised
review and update the post-diagnosis information given to residents to ensure they receive accurate information about support and services
consider how to deliver, and fund, pre and post diagnostic support
support and inform the rollout of Oliver McGowan learning disability and autism awareness training
host a mental health listening event with autism forum to connect them with commissioners and providers
work with mental health commissioners to improve accessibility of mental health services for autistic residents
include the requirement to make reasonable adjustments and support autistic people in specifications for talking therapies and CAMHS services
support the implementation of the Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag to ensure that health professionals are aware of people's needs

Education and employment - Autistic people have better access to appropriate and supportive education and employment"

The actions will be:

a representative of the Autism Partnership Board to be involved in oversight and delivery of the SEND Strategy
develop hints and tips sheet about supporting autistic employees for employers to be shared through partners
autism Partnership Board organisations better support their existing autistic employees to enable them to lead by example and share good practice with others
promote employment programmes such as Access to Work and Disability Confident Scheme

Bexley Autism Strategy