Scottish Autism Service Network

Borders ASD Working Group (adult focused)

The Borders ASD Working group was originally set up in October 2004 by Kirsten Haughey of the NHS Borders and colleagues in health, social work and the voluntary sector. Following a successful request by the group for funding for Adult ASD Co-ordinator to Scottish Executive, Kirsten was appointed for one year in November 2005 to focus upon seven key tasks in conjunction with the working group:

Drive forward agenda for adults with ASD

Audit numbers of adults with ASD and promote development of an ASD database

Co-ordinating role and promote the use of Personal Life Plans

Create an ASD Information Resource Base

Promote use of a single multi-agency care pathway

Raise awareness of ASD in the Borders

Promote the review of people with ASD placed out with the Borders

Following the post coming to an end in November 2006, Kirsten produced a final report with recommendations and an action plan. Although no further funding has as yet been found to put this action plan fully into place, the working group have continued to consider how they can assist with this.

They meet on a regular basis for the following purposes:

to facilitate change

to consider mapping numbers of those with ASD in the Borders area for the purpose of highlighting the level of need and encouraging the assignment of more importance to ASD

as catalyst for service improvement

to raise awareness of issues, particularly lack of services and support for those with Asperger’s syndrome

to assist with the development of training and awareness raising for professionals across the Borders area

SASN were invited to join the group during early 2007 and as the group Chair, Kirsten Haughey, now no longer has ASD as her full-time remit, SASN offered to assist in facilitating the group to help with it’s successful continuation.

The group focuses on the needs of adults with ASD and meets in the Borders area.

For more details please contact Dawn on 0141 950 3072 or e-mail .