Parents of autistic children experience of CAMHS

Background

In early 2006 Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board’s autism sub-group identified that many people with autism could not access the services that they need locally. It was felt that too often, arrangements were being made for care and support out of area; at other times local arrangements were inadequate or inappropriate. The autism sub-group secured funding for a project to identify people’s needs.  Wokingham and District Mencap were commissioned by Wokingham Learning Disabilities Services to manage the project and write an autism strategy for the borough.  A final report was produced in March 2009. It found there was a widespread lack of understanding of autism. Less able people generally had their needs met – particularly when they had additional learning disabilities – but those with high functioning autism or asperger syndrome were ill-served. 

Currently the Government is developing guidance for local councils and local health bodies on the development of services and support for adults with autism in England. The guidance will be statutory, which means that if local councils and local health bodies do not do what it says, they could be taken to court.

Locally issues were brought to the attention of the LINk by parents of autistic children, highlighting how they felt interaction with the CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health) team could have been better.

As a result the LINk have decided to further explore parent’s experiences when accessing CAMHS  with the aim of making recommendations to service providers to enhance parent involvement.

Methodolody

• Identify target group of parents accessing CAMHS due to their child’s autism – by 13^th October 2010.
• Hold a focus group to gather parent’s feedback on the 7 points raised in Department of Health consultation on Autism Act.  18^th October 2010
• Hold semi structured interviews with 10 parents accessing CAMHS and get detail about their experience between 24^th October and 24^th November 2010
• Analysis and Report writing throughout December 2010

Intended Outcomes

To provide a LINk response to the DH national consultation on the Autism Act by 20^th October 2010. Through semi structured in depth interviews with a number of parents using CAMHS elicit information about their experience in order to make recommendations to service providers to improve the experience of parents accessing the service for their child.

For more information about this project

For more information, contact Michelle on: Michelle.Wooff@makesachange.org.uk