Invitation to Quote – Autism - 2017
Supporting Councils with Implementing the Autism Strategy
Background
The Think Autism Strategy has done much to improve the lives of those living with autism. It
set out a clear programme of action, developed alongside people with autism, their families
and carers to improve their lives and reduce premature mortality through better access to
healthcare by making adjustments to services and improving understanding and awareness.
Building on the national multi-agency work on Autism since the publication of the “Progress
Report on Think Autism: the updated strategy for adults with autism in England” and the
Autism Self-Assessment Framework 2016, the Department of Health has commissioned the
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) to provide further support to local
authorities with the implementation of the Autism Strategy. Many of the actions that cover
local authorities in the Autism statutory guidance are advisory and not mandatory. This work
will act as a reminder and re-enforce some of the key advisory issues.
ADASS is now inviting quotes to undertake further work on Autism, in 2017.
This work is of interest to ADASS members, ADASS Executive and Trustees, the ADASS
mental health, learning disability and autism policy leads amongst others. This work will be
under the direction of the co-leads of the ADASS Learning Disability and Autism Policy
Network, with updates to the ADASS Executive when appropriate. Day to day management
and additional input will sit with the ADASS Assistant Director, Policy.
The work will be funded by the Department of Health and be subject to regular quarterly
reports.
Deliverables:
1. Professional expertise and advice to support ADASS members on national level autism
work
2. Responding to the results of the 2016 Autism self-assessment
3. Introductory paper on the development of a preventative approach for people on the
autistic spectrum
4. Engagement with, and promotion of learning from the York University SHAPE Project on
autism diagnosis pathways
5. Expertise to support alignment with Transforming Care and Mental Capacity
safeguarding.
The work is to be undertaken as soon as feasible during 2017.
Essential criteria
Providers must be able to evidence:
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The ability to support ADASS leadership and to represent ADASS at senior level
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Invitation to Quote – Autism - 2017

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Expert understanding of Autism and the Autism Strategy
Leadership, networking and communication skills
Experience of promoting, training or delivering resources for authorities on Autism
Understanding of the function and structures of local government and ADASS
This project will be procured and managed by ADASS staff and been overseen by the
ADASS Learning Disability Policy Network.
Quotes for the work
Providers must submit proposals of not more than 3 sides of A4 setting out their skills,
knowledge and experience, day rates, VAT position, details of availability to deliver the work
and how soon the work could be completed. A CV should also be attached.
The deadline for bids is 12 noon on 24/03/2017. Bids to be emailed to:
[email protected].
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Invitation to Quote – Autism - 2017
Autism: DH Commissioned ADASS work 2017
Aim: provide support to the ADASS Learning Disability and Autism policy leads and the Executive in relation to Autism.
Cost: funded by the Department of Health up to a maximum of £7k plus a sum for existing ADASS staff input.
Reports to: ADASS Learning Disability Policy Network co-chairs; updates to ADASS Executive when appropriate.
Headline Areas
Outputs required
1. rProfessional expertise and advice to 
osupport ADASS Members to take a
ffull part in National Autism work
e

s
s
i
o
n

a
l
Update on progress of regional and locality
strategy/Statutory Guidance implementation.
ADASS inform and advise on future national
autism policy direction including the
requirements of the wider partners and societies
cultural development.
Links to both the Recommendation
implementation and the implementation of the
Autism Strategy, Statutory guidance and
evaluation
Key Tasks
Support key strategic meetings to advise on autism policy.
This will include national learning disability and autism policy
network meetings (currently up to four per year) and
teleconferences with policy leads, as required.
Influence the forming discussions on the social model of
disability in the application of autism - with specific
understanding of people with Autism across the spectrum
including without a learning disability, by providing case
examples of this in practice, for people with autism.
Outcome:
ADASS leads are better informed on the Autism Strategy and
statutory requirements, and respond to requests for
expertise and advice from DH and partners.
Invitation to Quote – Autism - 2017
2.
Headline Areas
Outputs required
Responding to the Autism Self Assessment 16/17
Clear understanding
Interpretation and impact of the findings 16/17
across LAs and advise on the development of the
report.
Links to implementation of the Autism Strategy,
statutory guidance and other national policy
links to the recommendations and findings of the
Diagnostic pathway report
Key Tasks
Focussed work to follow up with Local Authorities and
regions where there was a low response rate to the 2016
Autism SAF.
Work with the Public Health England Learning Disabilities
Observatory Team to develop and understand the themes
highlighted in the Autism self assessment, by discussing
responses with individual local authorities and contributing
local authority feedback into the development of the
national report.
Support the formulation of the report of findings and
support the circulation and promotion to ADASS members
via the ADASS bulletin.
Identify areas of future focused work to support the
continued implementation and evaluation of the Autism
Strategy.
Outcome:
ADASS Leads are aware of where further work is required in
implementing the Autism Strategy, and engage with those
authorities that need the most support.
Invitation to Quote – Autism - 2017
Headline Areas
3.
4.
Outputs required
Key Tasks
Formulate an introductory paper on Specific to the Diagnosis Pathway report, Autism
the development of a preventive
Act, Strategy, Statutory Guidance recommendation
approach for people on the autistic Sustainability and Care Act
spectrum
Delivery of a paper that proposes the further
undertaking of a system review, writing and
publishing of a document paper that seeks to
demonstrate the opportunities and existing policy
and practice challenges in the delivery of a Personcentred preventative approach for people on the
autistic spectrum.
Utilise the information obtained through the Diagnostic
Visits and wider partnership conversations
Engagement with, and promotion
Links to existing commitments and engagement
of learning from the York University
(SPRU) SHAPE Project and other
work to raise awareness and
champion understanding about
autism.
Promotion of ongoing research work among local authorities
and of how local authorities pathways can contribute to
improvements for people with autism.
The Safeguarding and prevention conversation to inform the
development of the introductory paper and proposal for the
ADASS website and bulletin.
Outcome:
ADASS Leads are better informed to be able to put
preventative work in place to support people with autism,
using the messages in the paper to deal with issues as they
arise.
Outcome:
ADASS Leads are better informed of the SHAPE and other
research, and use it to keep their members up to date.
5.
Providing Autism expertise to
Autism Strategy
support alignment with other policy
Led via the Transforming Care partnerships, NHSE and
ADASS/ LGA. Present to the ADASS MH Network inclusive of
Autism without a LD.
Invitation to Quote – Autism - 2017
Headline Areas
areas, including Transforming Care
and Mental Capacity safeguarding.
Outputs required
Key Tasks
Outcome:
Experience has helped to develop Transforming Care and
Mental Capacity safeguarding policy, and this is evident in
practice and in documents from those programmes.