4. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services: The Autism Updated Delivery Plan and Autism Code of Practice

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:52 pm on 25 September 2018.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 3:52, 25 September 2018

I'm happy to have the direct example from your constituency, where it is about making improvements in the here and now. Indeed, a number of other AMs have spoken to me, from around the Chamber—I won't name them—about the challenges they see within their local communities and, equally, progress that they see, as well, for some people. It's an important point, I think, to capture what you said about small changes that can make a big difference to people's lived experience.

Specifically, in your part of Wales, it is the last part of Wales where the integrated autism service will roll out—the western bay and west Wales area. It is my understanding that it is on track to be operational by March, within this financial year. So, it is on track to do so. I think there's an important point about, in the future, me providing a more detailed update to Members on what is happening in the assistance provided in a range of other areas of life, in particular about activity around work, as well. Because if people are genuinely going to be included, then, actually, the importance of work for all of us matters, and it matters for autistic people just as much. So, I am keen to be able to spell that out, about the scale of activity that is taking place and where that is taking place. Equally, if Members don't see that taking place within their own communities, I'd be interested to hear from people, because I'm interested in making this genuinely a national roll-out for national improvement in every part of the country.