Autism Partnership Board minutes - March 2026
1. Welcome, introductions and apologies
Sam welcomed everyone to the meeting, introductions were made, and apologies noted.
2. Minutes and actions from last meeting
The minutes from the meeting held on 15 December 2025 were accepted as an accurate record of discussions.
Actions 80, 93, 96 – 98 and 101 - 111 were agreed to close. Updates were shared on open actions and the log updated accordingly.
Action 95: You can subscribe to Neurodivergent News. Also, volunteers for a co-editor for June is required. Please email APB@eastsussex.gov.uk if interested.
Action: A workshop has been planned for July with Sussex Health and Care Assembly members. We will be able to feed back outcomes at the September APB meeting.
Terms of reference
Feedback from members had been incorporated or responded to in the final version, which were shared with board papers.
Decision: Agreement made for the board to formally sign off the updated terms of reference.
3. Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Outcome of events
EW presented a comprehensive review of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, highlighting high engagement, positive feedback, key learning points, and suggestions for future improvements.
The high level of engagement suggests that there is strong public interest in the subject, with engagement being significantly higher than average on ESCC social media.
From 816 bookings for the events, there were 619 attendees. Feedback so far had been overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.67 out of 5, and attendees reported feeling reassured, empowered, and inspired; key messages focused on inclusion, support, and valuing individual voices.
EW summarised areas for improvement, such as:
- being mindful of language
- providing trigger warnings for sensitive topics
- ensuring mental health support at events
- adjusting event formats to allow more discussion and breaks
Links to the recordings for the live events on YouTube:
- Autopia
- Neuro-inclusive recruitment
- Developing neuro-inclusion in the workplace
- Developing neuro-inclusion in education
- Neuro-inclusion in Health and Care
Autism video
A presentation of the draft video filmed at the Unity in Diversity event was given. The video aims to shift public attitudes, engage individuals about Oliver McGowan training as well as compliment the training.
Feeback from group:
- Language – neurospicy can be controversial. Add a disclaimer that language only represents the view of the individual and may not represent all. ‘They’ is used a lot and could be considered ‘othering’.
- Music – an option to have music or have no music.
- It would be good to include representation from more older neurodivergent people and neurodivergent people who could not attend the event/are non-verbal.
A further filming session is lined up and will look at including a definition of neurodivergence.
Action: Consider feedback on language use, the need for subtitles, representation of older and non-attending neurodivergent individuals, and the potential for a series of short follow-up videos to provide deeper context.
4. Autism action plan: Year 1 review
SC presented a detailed review of the first year of the Autism All Age Action Plan, outlining achievements across health, education, and employment, and setting out new actions for year two.
Health and wellbeing key achievements included:
- launching the Neurodivergent News newsletter
- developing and promoting health and care passports
- updating the mental health directory
- launching the Lewes District Citizens Advice Autism Advice Service
Education key achievements included the piloting of the dimensions profiling tool in three schools along with the ‘Autism in Schools’ programme which has progressed into its second year within 15 educational settings. 27 schools are also currently participating in the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme.
Employment key achievements included:
- the launch of the Connect to Work programme
- Little Gate supported employment toolkit for employers
- an update to the Employment Support Training Advice and Resources (ESTAR) brochure
We will further develop work undertaken in year 1 including:
- improving access to information
- increase awareness and understanding through Oliver McGowan training
- peer support
In year two there are six actions to deliver (two across each area) including:
- promoting digital flags for reasonable adjustments
- increasing understanding and support for Autistic young people in secondary schools
- developing initial assessments for employment organisations
Members raised concerns about the overwhelming amount of information for parents, the need to manage expectations regarding service access, and the importance of supporting neurodivergent adults over 25.
Concerns were raised around transition from education to employment and the options available.
Actions:
- Arrange a future board agenda item to explore informal peer support networks and employment support for neurodivergent adults over 25, including sustaining work.
- Invite the Connect to Work team to a future board meeting to provide detailed information about their employment support offer, including benefits advice and phased approaches for young people with co-existing conditions.
- Connect with RC to find out more about the Youth Employability Hub in Brighton
5. Project development
Lewes District Citizen Advice - Autism Advice year 1 progress report
SA and AB provided an overview of the Lewes District Citizens Advice Autism Advice Service.
The two and half year pilot service commenced in January 2025, was co-designed with autistic adults and operates across Lewes District and Brighton & Hove, offering specialist advice on benefits, housing, health, and more, with a focus on accessibility and trauma-informed practice, to autistic adults with diagnosis, on waiting list, or those who self-identify.
In its first year, the service supported 78 clients with 206 issues, primarily related to PIP and Universal Credit, and received highly positive feedback for its personalised and effective support.
Key challenges included high demand for PIP support, managing complex needs, communicating service limitations, and ensuring balanced access across districts, with ongoing efforts to refine the service based on client feedback.
SA explained that while some learning is being integrated into general Citizens Advice services, the specialist nature of the pilot requires additional funding and accreditation to scale county-wide.
Oliver McGowan mandatory training
CF updated the board on the rollout of the Oliver McGowan training for health and social care staff in Sussex, describing the collaborative delivery model, funding, and plans for local adaptation.
CF outlined the sustainable, collaborative approach to delivering the mandated training, involving multiple organisations and co-trainers with lived experience, and highlighted the allocation of £10,000 to East Sussex County Council for 300 training places. SC mentioned efforts to align the training with the existing local offer, including the addition of East Sussex-specific resources and the use of the event film to provide local context.
Discussion feedback:
- Discussion about the currency and flexibility of the training content and the need for ongoing updates.
- The importance of measuring real-world impact beyond awareness.
- Capture stories of local people so that we can note the realities and improvements after training.
A question was asked about ways for parent carers to provide feedback on care experiences, with CF clarifying that formal channels such as PALS and complaints procedures are in place.
6. Any other business
No other business discussed.
2026 meeting dates
- 22 June: St Mary’s House, Eastbourne, St Mary’s House, Cuckmere 1
- 24 September: County Hall, Lewes, Watergate C11F
- 3 December: St Mary’s House, Eastbourne, room TBA