Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, presenting the morning keynote address
The Scottish Strategy for Autism Fourth Annual Conference took place on December 8, 2015 at the Technology and Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde. The event’s theme was “Good Autism Practice” centred around three major topics - local authorities, transitions and employment. Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, delivered a keynote speech to start the day. Throughout the day, delegates heard keynote presentations and attended workshops on each of the three major themes. They were also given time to network and to visit the Marketplace, where several organisations who had successful Autism Development Fund projects were on hand to discuss their examples of good autism practice. Also in the Marketplace, a set of posters showing how organisations had innovated since last year’s conference were on display.
Below you will find the videos from the day, along with some of the presentations from workshops and the innovation posters.
Summary video (11 minutes)
Individual presentations
Opening comments
Jamie Hepburn, MSP
Laura Bannerman, Dundee City Council
Jean MacLellan, National Autism Coordination Project (Good Autism Practice in Local Authorities)
James Fletcher, Association for Real Change Scotland (Good Autism Practice in Transitions)
Richard Ibbotson, Autism Initiatives (Good Autism Practice in Employment)
Tommy MacKay, University of Strathclyde
Maureen Bruce, Scottish Government
Workshop presentations
Arlene Mitchell, Dundee City Council, leads Workshop E
Workshop A: Strategic approaches to supporting young adult transitions
Workshop B: Practical examples of good autism practice in transitions
Workshop C: A strategic look at supported employment services in Scotland
Workshop D: Tools and strategies for supported employment
Workshop E: Dundee’s approach to funding autism services during health and social care integration (presentation unavailable)
Workshop F: Baxter View, residential support service for people with autism and complex needs (slides not used)
Innovation posters
Attendees of the Scottish Strategy for Autism Third Annual Conference were asked, “How have you innovated since last year’s event?” Their responses were included in the following series of posters. Please click on the poster images below to see the larger PDF.
Feedback from attendees
Please identify some key learning points around good practice you will take away from the event:
- Lots of ideas around employability and transitions, but also some useful new contacts, ranging from people in my own LA to national organisations.
- Organisations are working together more, which results in less duplication and gaps in services.
- Positive, positive, positive! Look for opportunities to improve transitions – particularly strategic opportunities.
- Recruitment being based around attitudes and values to get the right people for the job. Simple ideas/changes can have big impacts- lots of practical examples of this.
How will you use this to change your autism practice going forwards?
- I am more confident in relaying a message of being solution focused and worrying less about austere times – more money doesn’t necessarily help in a sustainable way; lots of today’s learning for me is all about attitudes and manageable changes to current practice.
- I am currently developing an Autism Service development plan. Information gathered today will influence that and inform how we need to move forward.
- Enhance and develop our existing local autism strategy. Encourage transitions/employment teams to have a more active role in our local strategy.
- My practice is now more informed and I will share this information with partners.
The Healthier Scotland stand gave delegates a chance to have their say about health in Scotland
Delegates had the opportunity to learn about successful Autism Development Fund projects in the Marketplace