Lord Touhig, an NAS Vice-President, today led a debate in the House of Lords about our new “Push For Action” campaign.
He quoted a recent NAS survey, in which 70% of adults with autism and carers surveyed said they did not receive the everyday support they need from social services. He called on the Government to consider the recommendations in our report, aimed at improving the lives of adults with autism but improving access to services.
Health Minister Earl Howe said the Government is already implementing some of our proposals and will consider others, including an “innovation fund”, which would provide financial support to help develop local services. The Government will be reviewing progress made in implementing the adult autism strategy later this year.
Lord Touhig and Lord Clement-Jones also mentioned recent research by Deloitte showing that providing low level services to working age adults with “moderate” needs can be cost effective.[1] Research based on services including NAS Horizons shows for every £1 invested, £1.30 could be generated for national Government, local government, adults with autism and carers.
Another NAS Vice-President, Baroness Browning also contributed to the debate, reminding the Minister that a number of Government departments must fulfil their obligations under the adult autism strategy. In particular, the NAS report call on the Department for Work and Pensions to review autism training for Jobcentre staff and work with employers to raise awareness of the benefits of employing people with autism. The Minister assured her that other Departments would be involved in the review of the strategy.
Other Peers raised a number of issues which the review should address, including the need to improve transition arrangements for young adults. Baroness Greengross, who recently chaired a commission in Parliament on autism and ageing, emphasised the importance of diagnosis, training and preventative services for older people with autism.
Transcript:
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