The Welsh Government’s new Code of Practice on the Delivery of Autism Services comes into force today, setting out the support and services that must be available to autistic people and their families in Wales.  

The Code has the potential to meaningfully strengthen the rights of autistic people, and to improve the services available to them. While it doesn’t address all of the significant challenges faced by autistic people and families, it is a big step forward in improving support and services in Wales and comes after years of campaigning from hundreds of our supporters. We are calling on the Welsh Government to appoint someone to oversee the implementation of the Code, and make sure it works for autistic people and their families. 

Background 

The Welsh Government previously consulted on the Code to ensure autistic people and families had their say. We campaigned to ensure there was meaningful input, and were pleased that over 200 responses were received to help the Welsh Government make improvements. Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback. 

The Code aims to set out what is legally required of services provided by local authorities, health boards and other public bodies in relation to the support they offer autistic people and their families in Wales.  

The Code of Practice on the Delivery of Autism Services responds to our calls for clear, legally-binding duties to ensure support is available to autistic people and their families and has the potential to strengthen the rights of autistic people, and to improve the services available to them.   

What the Code says 

The four main chapters in the Code outline arrangements for: 

• autism assessment and diagnosis 
• accessing health and social care services 
• awareness raising and training on autism 
• planning and monitoring services and stakeholder engagement. 

Key duties contained in the Code include:  

• Clear requirements for certain professionals working with autistic people to have sufficient training. For example, those involved in diagnostic or social care assessments 
• Autism assessments must take place within agreed time scales, and post-diagnostic assessments should be offered within six weeks 
• IQ must not be considered when determining eligibility for care and support 
• No one should be denied health or care support because they do not yet have a diagnosis 
• Each regional partnership board must specifically include autism services as part of their area plans, and report against their progress 
• Each region must have an autism champion on its partnership board 
• Health boards and local authorities must collect data on autism to inform their area plans, including complying with any specific Welsh Government requirements, for example, on diagnosis waiting times 
• Gaps in the Code 

While the Code makes a number of positive improvements, we remain concerned that it doesn’t address some significant challenges faced by autistic people and families, many of which have been made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. We are disappointed that the Code doesn’t include: 

• Mandatory training in autism for teachers and other school staff, as recommended by the Senedd Health, Social Care and Sport Committee 
• Clear autism specific mental health pathways and support to understand and respond to distressed behaviour 
• Duties to improve public awareness and understanding of autism 
• Government must appoint someone to oversee implementation 

We are also concerned that the Code may not be strongly enforced by the Welsh Government. This is why we are calling on the Welsh Government to appoint someone to oversee the implementation of the Code, support public bodies to understand their responsibilities and recommend enforcement action if they aren’t following the Code. It’s vital that autistic people and families are able to enforce their rights if they are not receiving the services or support, they are entitled to.

Further information 

• Find out more about the Code of Practice.
• Find out more about our campaigning in Wales.