Lewisham All Age Autism Strategy

Closed 8 Jun 2022

Opened 12 May 2022

Feedback updated 21 Oct 2024

We asked

In 12th May to 8th June 2022, we asked autistic residents within the borough to complete a survey, of which their responses would further define and finalise the actions to aid the development of the autism action plans to work alongside the Lewisham All-Age Strategy.

Along with other work undertaken within the borough, this provided a wide and alternate remit to engage the autistic voice in finalising the strategy document, agreeing the vision and highlighting the priority areas to establishing actions plans to commence Lewisham’s commitment in improving lives of autistic residents.

You said

148 responses were received from Lewisham professionals and residents with a 54.7% response from autistic parents or carers.

The response confirmed that the identified vision and priorities for the strategy is correct.

We did

We put the Vision and I-Statements into the strategy and agreed the priorities that would help us focus on improving the I-Statements.  We aligned the priorities to the National Strategy. As a result of this consultation we added an additional priority to the strategy as in`Improving Experiences of Caring’. 

We have developed action plans to support the key priorities and have aligned the I-statements against the plans.

Overview

Lewisham Borough Council are in the process of developing an All Age Autism Strategy and Action Plan. The strategy will outline the council's commitment to work across a range of services and with a variety of partners to improve the quality of life of our autistic population.

A key element to the strategy is to include input from our autistic residents, their carers and broader community. By providing your views in this survey we will be able to gain an understanding of the opportunities available to us and identify key areas which need action.

All documentation is available in easy-read and a postal versions of the survey can be found in the related documents section below.

Please return printed versions of this survey by post to:

Shirazul Islam (Integrated Commissioning Officer)
Laurence House
1 Catford Road
Catford
London
SE6 4RU

Completed surveys must be received by the consultation end date on 8th June.

If you require support to complete this survey, please contact 020 3228 0760 and the Lewisham Community Wellbeing Service, run by BLG Mind, will be able to offer assistance.

Why your views matter

Autistic people report a lower quality of life than the general population and are often required to exist in hostile spaces while experiencing long waits for diagnosis and support. Lewisham is not immune to these issues and work must be done to improve conditions for people with autism.

Your feedback will support us in ensuring the actions we take are the ones that will have the most impact and your feedback will directly influence the final strategy and action plan.

What happens next

Thank you for providing your feedback. This will now be brought together to develop the final All Age Autism Strategy and Action Plan. These will be published at Mayor & Cabinet in July 2022.

Those requesting further information about the Autism Partnership Board will be sent correspondence in June 2022.

Areas

  • Bellingham
  • Blackheath
  • Brockley
  • Catford South
  • Crofton Park
  • Downham
  • Evelyn
  • Forest Hill
  • Grove Park
  • Ladywell
  • Lee Green
  • Lewisham Central
  • Perry Vale
  • Rushey Green
  • Sydenham
  • Telegraph Hill

Audiences

  • General public
  • Lewisham residents
  • Service users
  • Children and young people
  • Voluntary and community groups
  • Professional stakeholders (e.g. teachers, GPs, police etc.)

Interests

  • Adult social care
  • Children social care
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Parks and open spaces
  • Sport and leisure
  • Arts and culture
  • Libraries
  • Regeneration
  • Planning
  • Environment
  • Refuse and recycling
  • Transport and traffic
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Crime and safety
  • Schools and education
  • Business and local economy
  • Council Tax and benefits
  • Spending and budgets
  • Commissioning
  • Civic participation and democracy
  • Equality and diversity
  • Learning and development