Dr Sonia Anderson is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead for Autism Assessment and Diagnostic Services at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. In this article Sonia describes how, and why, the trust implemented the Autism Champions model.

Background

There has been increasing concern in recent years about the health, social and economic impact on autistic adults receiving inadequate support. (Think Autism, 2014; the Adult Autism Strategy: Statutory guidance, March, 2015; NHS England’s Long-Term plan, 2019). This has placed growing responsibilities on NHS Bodies and Local Authorities to actively remove barriers faced by autistic people, and to improve support and services to enable autistic people to ‘live fulfilling and rewarding lives within a society’ (Think Autism, 2014).

Within our NHS Foundation Trust - autism awareness and reasonable adjustments training was made available to all staff within the Trust, on an increased scale and proactively supported by our Commissioners. Evaluations of the training were extremely positive, however having just a small team of specialist staff was not enough to bring about long-term, wide-scale culture change. We recognised more was needed to reduce barriers that many autistic people identified in accessing services. Thus, an Autism Champion model was developed within the Trust. 

The aim of the Autism Champion was to:

• establish and develop a wide network of staff enthusiastic about promoting and supporting the needs of autistic people; 
• build on our autism awareness and reasonable adjustments training;
• improve experiences of autistic people. 

The concept of Champions

The Champions model is widely used across public health and social care settings. Staff Champions are often used to promote positive change or development within an organisational culture, providing a link between staff and management teams, as well as other partner services. However, the challenge can often be how this model is made meaningful, effective, and sustainable with limited resources.  

As we developed the Autism Champions programme it needed to be accessible to anyone with an interest in autism and neurodiversity and enthusiasm to promote the agenda both within their teams and across the Trust. This included autistic or neurodivergent staff members. During our autism training we asked if anyone had an interest in autism and if they would like to find out more about becoming a Champion. Initially the plan was to support Champions just within our NHS Trust; however, both the autism and reasonable adjustments training and Champion memberships were expanded to other services, including:

• our Local Authority and Primary Care colleagues
• inpatient and community staff
• those from secure services and criminal justice liaison 
• children and young people’s mental health services
• and social care colleagues. 

Developing the role

A contract was developed to ensure the role of an Autism Champion was consistent and transparent. This included a requirement that the Champion:

• has demonstrated an established interest in developing the awareness and understanding of autism or neurodiversity 
• will champion neurodiversity and promote reasonable adjustments within their teams and settings
• build a connecting network 
• help continuously improve the care of autistic people 
• disseminate information from the specialist autism team.  

It was important that the Champion was not expected to work with all autistic people accessing their team, rather their role would be to support their colleagues in developing their own specialist knowledge and skills. In return, the Champion would develop their own clinical skills by attending Autism Champions events and training, accessing research, and being part of a neurodiverse network support group. 

To date, the Autism Champions have received additional training on topics including Stopping the Over Medication of People with a learning disability and/or autistic people with psychotropic medicines (STOMP) and Supporting Treatment and Appropriate Medication in Paediatrics (STAMP), and communication strategies, and heard from autistic people and family members about their experiences of health services.

Evaluation and continued development

There has been a fantastic response to the rollout of the model, with senior staff being very supportive and encouraging. 

I feel more confident to offer ideas within our service, to enable better access and to adapt my therapy to potentially enable autistic clients to have a therapy which fits them.

I have learnt so much and continue to learn how to recognise, support, signpost, adapt and advocate for individuals with neurodevelopmental needs.

A diverse collection of people have now connected through the Autism Champions group. The next challenge is to develop resources to expand the champions model across the whole Trust and its partners in a similar collaborative and connective manner. The Champions Model has been functioning for just eight months and expanded rapidly through the enthusiasm and energy of the membership. We plan to formally evaluate and develop the model through continued engagement with the membership.  

We are delighted to continue our programme of action supporting our staff and other colleagues in developing knowledge and improving services which help autistic people live healthier, happier lives.