Improving autism pathways and focus on early intervention and support 

This project is to address the growing demand for autism support in South Yorkshire with rising referrals for autism assessments and support, alongside increasing referrals to our Children & Young People’s Key-Working Service and Mental Health Acute admissions, a significant gap has emerged in South Yorkshire. This gap is particularly evident in services for individuals with autism who do not have a learning disability. ​

Despite our ongoing progress moving towards early intervention and prevention, there is a growing need for enhanced crisis response services and improved workforce knowledge when supporting autistic individuals. A systematic approach is essential to build resilience within existing teams and across the wider system.​

The service aims to improve the quality of life, care and well-being of autistic individuals whole reducing mental health admissions and crisis situations. It seeks to enhance communication skills, social involvement, emotional regulation, and community integration while addressing health inequalities and reducing suicide risks.​

The eligibility criteria for this service includes autistic individuals aged 14 and above without a learning disability. ​

It is envisaged that there will be a phase approach to delivery, with a focus on the intensive support element taking priority We are currently coproducing the service specification and plan to begin procurement in early 2025.​

Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) is a project that was launched in November 2023 by the Department of Education (DfE), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and NHS England to fund the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to work in partnership with local authorities and local parent carer led delivery partners, to support the education and health needs of neurodiverse children in primary schools. ​

This piece of work focuses on children with ‘needs’, rather than ‘diagnosis-led’, and therefore it also covers children without a formal diagnosis. ​

Building on the success of ‘Autism in Schools’, this is a ‘proof of concept’ project that will be nationally evaluated to inform best practice in providing earlier support for neurodiverse children to prevent potential challenges requiring intensive intervention across health, education, and care.​

This project finishes at the end of March 2025.​​

Linked closely to this piece of work is a South Yorkshire project around Creative and Innovative Engagement. This will see the creation of an animation which captures a wide range of neurodiverse Children and Young Peoples (CYP) voices, about their experience in education. The animation will be shared widely to peer groups to improve awareness and acceptance of neurodiverse CYP needs. The initial step is to consult with CYP to inform the content of the animation.

Employment is for Everyone is a social movement aiming to improve the employment opportunities for autistic people and people with a learning disability.​

We have created a South Yorkshire website that is bringing together all relevant employment support information for people and employers into one place. Please see the website here - www.employmentisforeveryone.org.uk​

The movement is all about collaboration – we are working closely with the South Yorkshire ICB and people with lived experience, carers, regional leads and organisations, local authorities and NHS colleagues, employers, support organisations have all already been part of this work.​

If you would like to know more about how Employment is for Everyone can work with you, please just get in touch via email at: team@employmentisforeveryone.org.uk

The aim of this project is to create a  single set of quality assured and co-produced resources for parents and carers to cover all aspects of everyday issues relating to sensory differences, which will be available via the Healthier Together website. To ensure the success of this work, the project will bring together representation from across South Yorkshire including, NHS, Local Authority and Parent/Carer forums to ensure the resources are accurate, user friendly and accessible.​

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This project brings together strategic partners from across South Yorkshire, including those from NHS, Local Authority, Criminal Justice System and Voluntary Services. This group aim to support and influence through interpretation and analysis of data and emerging themes from around the system. The group will monitor the local (and national) emerging themes and issues in connection to suicide, particularly of those with autism, which could change throughout the life span of the project. To begin with the group have scoped out current key issues and concerns, which has led the first objectives of the project group is to support employers in helping support employees with autism and consider how we can support those that are not yet diagnosed but are on waiting lists.