Welcome to the latest instalment of our Joint Working Journal. This edition focuses on the regional programmes of work reporting to Steering and Advisory Board 3 (SAB3), which met on 1^st April. SAB3 focuses on the Neurodiverse Programme and the Children and Young People’s Programme.

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Neurodiverse (ND) Programme

The ND Programme has been comprehensively addressing key areas to ensure that individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions can access the necessary services and support to participate fully within their communities and lead fulfilling lives, regardless of an assessment or diagnosis.

A strategy co-production group has been established and members are planning how we will approach engagement in the coming months. It is essential that people with lived experience are involved in the co-design of all aspects of the strategy, including the engagement plans.

The West Glamorgan Myth-Busting initiative has been making great strides, including the successful implementation of a communication strategy for families and stakeholders. Key outcomes have included sharing and signposting to resources and support currently available within services, as well as the support offered at school, at home and in the community that can be accessed without assessment.

This impact was recognised in the following Ministerial Statement and referenced as an example of good practice: www.gov.wales/137-million-transform-services-and-cut-adhd-and-autism-waiting-times

SAB3 members also received an update on the Additional Support for Challenging Behaviour project. Funded via National Neurodiverse Funding, this project has enabled the delivery of qualified behavioural advice and guidance at the earliest possible stage to a larger demographic of families and young people across our region.

We’ll be bringing you more on the work of the ND Programme in the next edition of our quarterly Newsletter (due out in the next couple of weeks), so keep an eye out for that!  

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Children and Young People’s Programme

The main focus of this section of SAB3 was the progress of the Multi Agency Therapeutic Support Service (MATSS), which is making a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable families across the region (funded by the Regional Integration Fund).

MATSS is a regional approach with local delivery by Neath Port Talbot Council and Swansea Council. The project provides direct support to families with complex issues, and particularly where there may be a possibility that a child or children could be taken into care. By providing a preventative approach, the model brings all therapeutic service provision together to create a much larger service comprising a broad range of expertise. It places an emphasis on upskilling staff in therapeutic thinking, which enhances the knowledge, skills and confidence of the workforce and ensures that children, young people and families receive support that is tailored to their needs and delivered at the right time.

Our Communications and Engagement Team have recorded the following digital story, which highlights the impact of MATSS from the perspectives of staff and those receiving services:

That’s all from us for today. We’ll be back with another SAB update soon! 😊