Autism Alliance responds to the final report from Baroness Hollins

The final report from Baroness Hollins and her Oversight Panel on Independent Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews shows powerfully that the health and care system in England continues to fail autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Her findings are distressing and should be cause for shame across the sector, and for all of us across society.

The report highlights how far we still are from basic principles of inclusion, compassion, respect and equality; and the fundamental confusion of a system that prioritises crisis intervention over early support and prevention.

The review makes clear recommendations, all of which should be implemented with urgency by the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, CQC and local health services. We would add that all training of commissioners and health and care staff should include trauma-informed care.

But as the report acknowledges, to see real change will need action at a system level: investment in the right community support in care and education, accountability that really is accountability, and a concerted push to transform culture.

The Autism Alliance has set out a plan for system-level reform, and will be calling for specific action on accountability and culture change in early 2024.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash