Using Autism Accreditation commendations to promote best practice within children and adult services

Background Accreditation programmes are used throughout education and social care. They support the identification of achieving certain criteria and in the advancing of practice. The National Autistic Society's Autism... [ view full abstract ]

Background

Accreditation programmes are used throughout education and social care. They support the identification of achieving certain criteria and in the advancing of practice.

The National Autistic Society's Autism Accreditation department specifically looks at autism practice not only within their own provisions but also external organisations.
Our process has grown and developed as new ways of thinking and supporting autistic people evolve. We have launched new standards informed by the autistic community and professionals, and underpinned by the latest research and regulatory practice.

Rationale

Autism Accreditation recognises that to the very personalised nature of successfully working with an autistic person there is no right or wrong way in providing support. We look for evidence of positive outcomes for children and adults. We commend work that has exceeded expectation. We then share this practice to encourage successful practice elsewhere.

Main points

Our model operates by self-appraisal, specialist advisory support and peer review. The practice is observed and evidenced against agreed quality frameworks and presented to an independent panel.

For example we commended a service who had transitioned from old style day services to integrated activities working alongside their local leisure centre and arts council. ‘Co-location’ within local facilities improved autistic people’s health, social skills and wellbeing, increased awareness within the community and gave autistic people a place within it. This has provided ideas to other day services that are considering a more flexible and innovative approach.

Conclusions

Through commendations awarded by Autism Accreditation, we promote the sharing of practice and celebrate the achievements of schools and services, so that the autism community can learn from these examples, and better the lives of autistic people.