Think Autism strategy governance refresh

Department of Health and Social Care, 2018

The Autism Act (2009) places a duty on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to publish a strategy for meeting the needs of autistic adults in England, and to review it from time to time. England’s first Adult Autism Strategy, Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, was published in 2010, with commitment from Ministers across government to transform the support for and experience of autistic people.

In April 2014, the Strategy was updated with the publication of Think Autism, supported by revised Statutory Guidance in March 2015. In 2017, it was agreed that the arrangements for overseeing implementation of the Strategy should be refreshed. In some areas, it was agreed with stakeholders that progress was not as quick as envisaged, and that there was scope to streamline the set of actions and commitments and to re-confirm ownership of specific actions to focus on those that would best realise the objectives of the Strategy.

The Strategy itself has not changed, but the implementation activities required to deliver its intended outcomes, and who will do what, have been clarified. This has returned the focus to delivering what is required by the Autism Act and Statutory Guidance, in a realistic and measurable way.

Find out more here.