Bucks pledges to boost autism support after care services rated Good

Buckinghamshire Council’s adult social care services have been rated ‘Good’ for how well it organises, oversees, and supports adult social care across the county.

The local authority area covers South Bucks (including Dorney, Burnham, Taplow, Iver, Wexham, Stoke Poges and the Farnhams), Marlow and surrounding areas (Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, the Wooburns).

The inspection, carried out over six months, found strong leadership and committed staff, with a score of 73 per cent overall.

The CQC praised the council’s focus on prevention, support for carers and use of digital tools to improve access to advice.

The authority submitted 211 pieces of evidence and more than 100 people were interviewed as part of the assessment.

Nine areas across four themes were examined, with most rated at a Good standard. Safeguarding, leadership and partnership working were among the council’s strongest areas.

Inspectors highlighted the addition of 28 new care providers since 2023, and noted the good short-term help provided to unwell people so they can get back to living independently at home.

However, the CQC said improvements were needed in how young people move from children’s to adult services.

Transitions were rated ‘requires improvement’, with families calling for earlier planning, clearer communication and better advice.

In response, future plans include more autism-trained staff, expanded respite options and joint training across children’s and adults’ services.

Other priorities include better data sharing and clearer guidance for people who pay for their own care.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon (September 23), Councillor Isobel Darby, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We had no surprises [from this result] and we know there are things we can do better – we’re now doing that.

“We are proud [of this outcome], but we won’t rest on our laurels.”

She highlighted the importance of listening to and learning from people’s experiences of care.

In the same cabinet meeting, Bucks council also signed off a new partnership plan to improve the quality of life for autistic people.

The All-Age Autism Strategy 2025-2030 has been developed ‘through close consultation’ with autistic people and their families, among others.

In 2020, 1.75 per cent of children were recorded as having autism in Bucks, and in 2025, 1,400 adults with autism are recorded as living there.

The strategy recognises the wide range of needs among autistic people, from those requiring minimal help to those needing formal support.

Key actions include: enhancing housing and independent travel options, strengthening autism advice in schools, and developing employment guidance for both autistic people and employers.

The council is also looking at rolling out a Neuro-Inclusion Passport in health settings.

These short, personalised documents allow individuals to share information about how they’d like to be supported, what might make appointments or environments difficult, and what helps them feel more comfortable.

Cllr Darby said: “Our aim is to ensure that all autistic people, at all stages of their lives, are provided with the right level of support for their individual need and are given equal opportunities to thrive and achieve.”