Autism (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
| Year | 2022 |
Autism (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
2022 Chapter 13
An Act to amend the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
[26 April 2022]
BE IT ENACTED by being passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly and assented to by Her Majesty as follows:
1 Autism strategy: consultations and data
In section 2 of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (autism strategy)—
(a) in subsection (2), after “consult the Northern Ireland departments” insert“, and such other persons as the Department considers appropriate,”,
(b) after subsection (3) insert—
(3A) The data on prevalence must include data on prevalence in adults and prevalence in children.”.
2 Additional components of autism strategy
In section 3 of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (content of the autism strategy), after subsection (4) insert—
(4A) The autism strategy must set out how training (including accredited training) is to be provided to the staff of Northern Ireland departments and other public bodies on how to best address the needs of—
(a)
(a) persons with autism, and
(b)
(b) the families and carers of persons with autism.
(4B) The autism strategy must set out how the Department is to make provision for an autism support and early intervention service.
(4C) The autism strategy must set out how the Department is to make provision for an autism information service which is accessible (both in person and remotely) by—
(a)
(a) persons with autism,
(b)
(b) the families and carers of persons with autism, and
(c)
(c) professionals working with persons with autism, and their families and carers.
(4D) The autism strategy must set out how the needs of adults with autism will be addressed, including in particular their needs in respect of—
(a)
(a) lifelong learning,
(b)
(b) employment support,
(c)
(c) recreation,
(d)
(d) physical health,
(e)
(e) emotional and mental well-being,
(f)
(f) supported living, and
(g)
(g) housing.
(4E) The autism strategy must set out how the Department will reduce waiting times for autism assessment and treatment services provided by HSC trusts.”.
3 Methodology of the autism strategy
After section 3 of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 insert—
3A
“3A. Methodology of the autism strategy
(1) The autism strategy must take into account best international practice on autism.
(2) The autism strategy must take into account that persons with autism, and their families and carers, have individualised needs.
(3) The autism strategy must take a multidisciplinary and cross-departmental approach.
(4) The autism strategy must set out how consistency of practice is to be achieved across—
(a)
(a) HSC trusts, and
(b)
(b) education services.
(5) The autism strategy must set out measurable targets against which its effectiveness may be assessed.
(6) Without limiting the generality of consultations required under section 2(2), those measurable targets must be developed in consultation with bodies with an interest in promoting the rights of persons with autism.”.
4 Annual autism funding reports
After section 3A of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (inserted by section 3), insert—
“
3B
(1) The Minister must lay before the Assembly, for each financial year, a report (“an annual report”) setting out how the funding for autism, in respect of that year, took account of—
(a)
(a) the autism strategy,
(b)
(b) the prevalence of autism in children and adults,
(c)
(c) the needs of persons with autism,
(d)
(d) the needs of families and carers of persons with autism, and
(e)
(e) the potential for collaboration with bodies with an interest in promoting the rights of persons with autism.
(2) In this...
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