Policy Focus: Care funding must be used correctly

More than 1 in 100 adults in England have autism, a lifelong developmental disability. Some need assistance to carry out basic tasks such as getting washed and dressed and cooking meals, while others need specialist support to find sustainable employment or access community facilities.

The Care Bill and recent announcements on funding are welcome and seemingly offer a real chance to make a difference to the lives of people with autism, but the NAS has some serious concerns as to what the changes will actually deliver on the ground for those with the condition.

Thousands of adults with autism currently miss out on essential support as either their difficulties aren’t properly identified or appropriate support just isn’t available. Without the right assistance, people with autism are at great risk of social exclusion and significant health issues; a third of adults with the condition who responded to an NAS survey said they have developed a serious mental health problem because they lack appropriate support. And our experience also shows that many people with autism only finally receive assistance when they have plunged into crisis. For many, expensive and intensive support could often be avoided if low-level “preventative” options like befriending services or social skills training were in place in the first instance. For others with the condition, ensuring early and appropriate support is put in place will help prevent needs escalating.

The Government has hailed its Spending Review commitment to invest in and join up health and social care, arguing that it will see vulnerable people receiving the support they need at the start, and that they won’t end up in hospital unnecessarily. But autism is different - reaching crisis point will not mean a visit to A&E. Instead, a lack of support can lead to mental breakdown, overwhelming debt, the need for greater support in managing daily living tasks and vulnerability to exploitation. It is therefore essential that this new pot of money is directed appropriately to help prevent escalating needs for people with autism.

A significant worry is that the recently published draft eligibility criteria do not go far enough to recognise the needs of people with autism. The draft sets out a potential restriction in that access to support will only be for those with a physical or mental impairment. This could mean that those who do not have a formal diagnosis may miss out on support altogether. This leaves a huge group at risk: as research for our Push For Action report found, only 63 out of 152 local authorities have a diagnostic pathway in place for adults with autism. Social care support should be assessed by actual need, not just what's written on a piece of paper.

There’s also nothing in the draft criteria to oblige councils to support vulnerable people who are at risk of experiencing neglect or abuse, or those who are unable to access leisure activities. We're worried many people with autism will be left totally isolated. And alone.

As it consults, the Government must listen carefully to these concerns and take action to make sure the most vulnerable in society are protected.

Join the debate at the PoliticsHome Policy Focus on the Care Bill here