Notes from the Autism MK Partnership Board
18th April 2016
at Milton Keynes Council Bronte Suite Room,
Civic Offices
People who were there:
 Ann Spencer, DEA MK Job Centre Plus
 Bernard Atkins, Autism Trainer
 Caroline Keen, Youth Advice and Guidance, MKC
 Carolyn Pierson, Healthwatch Milton Keynes
 Dominic Goodsell, Director, The Practice MK
 Dr Andy Evans, Parent
 Florinda Talbot, Registered Manager, Rhodsac Care Home
 Gerhard Fritz, Clinical Psychologist
 Helen Dean, MD, Care Services MK (CIC)
 Jane Lynds, Board Chair & Disability Consultant
 Janet Dawe, Parent / MH Service user, Healthwatch & Mental Health involvement
 Jerry Aldons, Manager, Walnuts Care
 John Head, Parent Carer
 John Frank, Registered Manager, Care Support MK
 Kevin Mangan, CDW, POhWER
 Laura Marley, Inclusion Manager, MK Snap
 Lisa Galloway, Operations Director, Precious Homes
 Lisa Munro, Specialist Teacher Manager, MKC
 Liz Cypher, Head of Care Services MK (CIC), MKC
 Michaela Gallimore, Talkback
 Nicky Brunt, Registered Manger, Autism Care UK
 Nigel Brown, Talkback
 Nina Soloff, Speech & Language Therapist, CNWL MK
 Nir Leuchter, Autism Trainer
 Norman Cummings, MKC Youth Worker, ASPECTS Trust
 Pete Njoroge, Registered Manager, ABI Homes
 Robin Goold, Joint Commissioner, Milton Keynes Council
 Victoria Sharp, Service Manager, Mind BLMK
 Linda Riddy, Business Support Assistant (notetaker)
People who could not attend:
 Amanda Boursaki, Senior Manager, Speech & Language Therapy
 Anne Matthews, Care Support Worker, Carers MK
 Anthony Tull, Autism Trainer Macintyre
 Byrony Parsler, Service User
 Carol Head, Parent
Autism Partnership Board
April 2016
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Carol Moughton, Network & Engagement Manager, MKCIL
Caroline Snelman, Admin PA, Care Support MK
Charlie Swan, Carer, Careforum
Chris Ford, Autism Social Worker, Milton Keynes Council
Irena?
Judy Eismore, Camphill
Julie Lack, Speech & Language Therapy Assistant, Slated Row School
Karoline Constance Dahl, Service User
Lee Taylor, Equality Worker, Milton Keynes Council
Nikki Parsler, Parent & MK Private Landlords Association
Nomsa Tshabalala, Deputy Service Manager, Milton Park Home
Rebecca Parsler, Carer
Richard James, Community Support Worker, Milton Keynes Council
Sara Tunnifcliffe, Assistant Head teacher, Walnuts School
Simon Rice, Autism Trainer, Talent Unlimited MK
Tom Harris, Volunteer POhWER
Tracey Bayley, PACA NAS MK Branch
Action
1.
Introductions
Jane Lynds welcomed participants. Introductions were made with an
explanation of how the meeting will work.
2.
Update by Robin Goold, Commissioner
Robin Goold provided an update on the work reviewing the Autism Strategy
Implementation Plan. Robin wants to streamline this and bring back to the
board for agreement on the boards priorities.
The review process needs to look at what has been achieved and what work
still needs to be done. Jane Lynds offered to share the RAG rating report in
the meeting which details the tasks, (18 pages long). Robin emphasised
there is a priority to focus on the major items first, but what was clear from
this work was that there had been some achievements and progress had
been made but there were still major tasks that needed implementing.
Jane spoke about the RAG rating in the strategy implementation plan and
explained the importance of ensuring all the processes are logged. Jane
talked though the main headings on the RAG report, including the key areas
such as pathways, training, and diagnostic service.
Robin reported that he had attended a workshop held at the CCG that
involved lots of people who work with children and young people, some of
whom have autism, with behavioural needs. There were people there from
Health, Education and Social Care.
Robin shared the following information:Funding for Diagnosis Service wasn’t agreed through the Better Care Fund
(BCF), but the BCF did recognise the need to provide a service with funding
from elsewhere. The service is now a top priority of the commissioning
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April 2016
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intentions for the Mental Health and Learning Disability Programme Board at
the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which is good news.
Robin also reported that conversations are taking place as to how we can
offer the service in Milton Keynes for people 16 and over. Letters have gone
from Gerhard Fritz to those on the waiting list informing them of the current
situation. Robin is looking at the use of Individual Funding Requests (IFR) to
fund diagnosis in the interim. Robin noted however that this would not be a
solution, and would dilute the resource for building clinical knowledge of
autism in Milton Keynes.
Robin reported that Trevor Thompson is currently reviewing the resource in
his teams to see how we can meet peoples social care needs and address
the waiting list under social care. This includes young people in transition
with autism as a priority group.
Funding for autism trainers, will continue for this year.
The APB will need to rewrite the strategy soon.
Robin spoke about the new Transformation Care Partnership between
Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Luton Councils and CCG’s (4 local
authorities and 3 CCG’s). This is focussed on supporting people with Autism
and mental health conditions to be supported better in the community and
not hospitals. This work includes Children and Adults.
Robin reported that a plan had to be produced for NHS England. The aim is
to pull in the high level expertise from other areas. The work had meant the
identification of gaps and plans to address these. This had been a big piece
of work in a very short space of time, although Robin had discussed with
members of the board there had not been time to fully consult.
Jane mentioned it is worth noting for the minutes that we have made
progress with the training.
Robin was asked questions by the group on:
Janet Day asked - looking to the wider area, do you think this will address
the ‘out of area’ problems for people with Mental Health conditions, including
children?
Robin replied that he wondered if NHS England had chosen Learning
Disability and Autism, because they are relatively small groups of people
who attract a lot of funding, to start these pieces of work. NHSE have talked
about devolving specialist commissioning and there has been press
coverage of these issues. There is a feeling that this project is being used to
Autism Partnership Board
April 2016
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test the ability of local areas to manage these types of needs and develop
infrastructure locally. Robin stressed though this was a personal opinion and
not NHSE policy.
Norman Cummings informed the board that a group has been established
called ASPECTS Trust, a group that has moved from local authority to a
stand-alone charity. Aspects is running transitions groups and activities.
11-19 year olds groups are well established. Looking to develop for 25-30
year olds.
Robin said if he has any further information he could communicate it through
the APB mailing list, that would be welcomed. RG thanked him for the
update.
3.
Group Discussions
Jane introduced the group discussions and asked attendees to form 3
groups to discuss:
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NHS MK report (circulated with agenda) – who should receive this
APB report?
Suggestions on future APB meetings, subjects, speakers
Each group was asked to document their thoughts and questions.
Feedback
Jane reintroduced the group discussion topic.
First Group - Bernard Atkins and Nigel Brown’s feedback included:–
Sharing the NHS MK report with the following organisations but a good
starting point would be to share with all service providers. Joined up
working is what is needed.
 MKUHFT CEO (hospital MK)
 Social Care (MKC) representatives
 CCG COO and Board members
 Head of CAMHS
 Councillors
 Police and Probation representation
 Minister for Health
 All local GPs/Practice Managers
Suggestions as to who we could invite to future APB meetings/workshops
i.e. subjects, speakers: Councillors (i.e. N. Long, I. Stewart, M. Lancaster)
 Invite an autism lead from another hospital
 Parent / Carers - success stories
 Criminal Justice System representative
 People who can share best practice e.g Bedford
Autism Partnership Board
April 2016
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Action
Second Group – Jane Lynds feedback included:Sharing the NHS MK report – As well as suggesting some of the above
ideas the following was also recommended:
 ASTI
 Mind BLMK
 Head of SEN
 Special Needs school, e.g. Redway, Walnut Tree
 Parent / Carer groups via Facebook
 Cabinet member
 Head of People
 Hospital MK
 MK College / Moulton College
 Saxon Clinic / Private clinics
 Walk in Centre at hospital
 Senator III
 MEPs
 Autism Trainers could hand out information during training sessions
Suggestions on future, subjects, speakers and what needs to be considered
for APB.
 To look at the NICE guidelines (does this fit in with our service)
 Transitions
 GPs – Sharing good practice
 NAS accreditation
 Q&A session with MPs
 Employers who support employees with a diagnosis (The Open
University)
 Job centre and getting people with disabilities into work
 Find an example of where it is working elsewhere
 Education – what is available?
 Community learning MK
 MK Chamber of Commerce – Employment / training / businesses – to
link in with their forums
 CEO of MK Local Authority – Q&A session
 Police – what are they doing and how can we support as a board.
Third Group – Gerhard Fritz feedback included:As well as suggesting some of the above ideas the following was also
recommended:
 Who does the APB board need to report into?
 How do we take jobs and tasks onto the next stage?
 Feedback mechanism
 Strategy of the APB linked to Outcomes
 Agenda setting by the APB (specific)
 Governance arrangements (unclear for MK)
 Third sector involvement (voluntary and charity organisations)
 Carers assessments (speak to Carers MK)
A standardised APB circulation group is required, and to include
Healthwatch. The key is how does the APB communicate and how does the
Autism Partnership Board
April 2016
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Action
board take on a voice of it’s own, and not to rely on an individual i.e. Robin.
Robin said it was important that the APB is it’s own entity and needs to acts
as such.
Follow up is very important and encouraging feedback from the
individual or organisation is paramount. Drawing feedback and including it
as an agenda item would be a good idea.
Other suggestions
 “send local offers” reach out to motivated parents and carers – code
of practice – cascade info and reports
 Individuals could write a letter to the Minister for Health
It was strongly felt by some members of the board that the hospital should
ensure that their staff have live autism awareness training which should
include the use of a trainer/s on the autistic spectrum.
Who is Bedfordshire CCG Autism Lead?
RG
New Adult Carers Training Update
 Ann Matthews not in attendance today, is taking retirement from
Carers MK.
Robin agreed to speak to Carers MK about training.
RG
4.
4a
4b
Talent Unlimited MK Autism Progress
Ongoing - members are attending meetings, (crowd funding didn’t work),
Jane encouraged the group to look up the search address ‘talent unlimited
MK autism’ on MK YouTube.
4c
Trainers Update
Continuation of money given to Equality Works to facilitate the Autism
Trainers.
No further updates
5.
Minutes and Matters Arising
The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.
RG agreed to e-mail Dr. Julian Bradley (CCG Board) for a copy of the
boards NHS MK document.
RG
“Experts by Experience” – funding is continued for Equality Works to
facilitate this project.
6.
Any Other Business
 Links with other boards
Autism Partnership Board
April 2016
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Action
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Carers assessments
Robin has been working with a Core group of The LD Partnership Board and
RG
the board will start running again soon. Robin wants to complete mapping
about how we can spread information from the boards, there is likely to be a
lot of crossover.
Carers Assessments– There were two issues here. One is Carers MK small
pilot, the other is what part of the system is responsible for assisting carers
needs.
Have we got website that will help delivery of information i.e. autism on
facebook page etc.? Brand, marketing, could we find the resource? and
where?
Directory update - Karen - purchased from autism beds.
Janet Day - MH Partnership Board happy to communicate.
Janet Day - Mix update – website to be up and running soon. If someone IT
literate could assist it would be welcomed.
Healthwatch website reaches out to Healthwatch members. Healthwatch
has spoken to the hospital and Diane Gordon has given a response. Jane
asked if the APB agenda could go onto the Healthwatch website? CP will
ask.
7.
Date of next meeting
Agreed to meet on 11th July at Civic Chambers
8.
Closing Comments by Jane Lynds
Autism Partnership Board
April 2016
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