Autism Partnership Board minutes - 15 September 2025
1. Welcome and apologies
Mark 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 16 June 2025 were accepted as an accurate record of discussions.
Actions 55, 56, 59, 62 and 81 to 86 were closed. Updates were shared on open actions and recorded.
Action: TS to resend the East Sussex County Council statement on the use of AI tools in meetings.
3. All age autism action plan video
EW shared the all age autism action plan video. EW confirmed that there are two versions available, one with music, one without.
Action: EW to find out if it is possible to make the web link to the action plan shorter.
4. Autism communication plan
EW presented the co-produced communications plan, which is a key part of the action plan.
Key points from discussion:
- Communication channels include a quarterly newsletter, social media updates and bulletins.
- Content will include updates on local work, positive case studies, new research, national developments and resources.
- There will be reviews of the strategy and changes made as needed.
The communication plan was agreed by the APB board.
Action: EW to explore co-production and editing a newsletter with the Action and Planning group.
5. Autism week
Autism Week is from 23 to 27 March 2026.
The aims of the week are:
- To bring stakeholders together to share ideas of how to optimise the quality of life for neurodivergent people living in East Sussex
- To appreciate and celebrate the positives of neurodivergence
- To raise awareness of local and national challenges around neurodivergence and explore solutions together
- To build stronger networks for positive partnership working
The proposed structure of the week is to hold an in-person event and four lunchtime webinars:
- Monday: A talk by Dr Luke Beardon focusing on a utopian vision for autistic people
- Tuesday: An in-person event at the Towner art gallery in Eastbourne
- Wednesday: An education webinar from the Communication, Language and Autism Support Services (CLASS)
- Thursday: Health and wellbeing webinar
- Friday: Employment webinar
The event could include:
- A marketplace for services
- Exhibitions or performances by neurodivergent people
- Talks and presentations
- Film screenings
- Workshops
The title 'Autism Week’ was decided through the poll taken in the meeting.
The word 'symposium' may not be known or understood, consider changing the title of the face-to-face event.
Actions:
- EW to consider how to record the highlights from each day.
- EW to explore options for attending online to reach a big audience.
- Email APB@eastsussex.gov.uk if you want to volunteer for the working party.
6. Autism health passports
TCG led a discussion on the rollout of six different autism health and care passports. Each one is tailored to specific needs (Police, NHS, children and workplace). The approach is to trial all the passports and gather feedback.
Discussion key points:
- Some found the number of passports overwhelming. However, throughout the trial, feedback will be gathered to understand if passports could be standardised in the future.
- 'Early adopters' (primary care networks, wellbeing co-ordinators and learning disability teams) will model good practice and share learning.
- Passports are being distributed with QR codes for feedback.
7. Autism prevalence data
SC discussed the recent prevalence data noting that there are still outstanding concerns around the data accuracy. SC confirmed there is work being done to clarify discrepancies in the data and that a meeting with the ICB is scheduled to address the data issues.
Action: SC to add an item to the December meeting agenda so ICB can discuss the data.
8. Autism Partnership Board meeting adjustments
The group were asked ‘What adjustments could be made to make these meetings more accessible and neuro-inclusive?’
Key notes from discussion:
- Make meeting introductions optional for autistic people.
- EW confirmed that an Autism Partnership Board guidance document is being developed and will be shared.
- The printed packs, when joining the meeting face-to-face are appreciated.
- The in-person meeting room needs to be more accessible, so people can enter without others being in the way. The most appropriate room is ‘Evelyn’ in County Hall – try and book this in advance.
- Printed packs can be sent out to people joining online – email APB@eastsussex.gov.uk to request this, at least two weeks in advance if possible.
- Try using different fonts and more visual presentations.
Actions:
- EW to consider group representation from a wider equalities, diversity and inclusion perspective.
- SC to review the terms of reference and include sharing and representation roles.
2025 meeting date
Monday 15 December (St Mary’s House, Eastbourne / online).
To include:
- Terms of reference review
- Data update