BHCC JS Autism Advocacy Support

BHCC are seeking expressions of interest from organisations interested in providing support to self-advocates on the Autism Partnership Board.

The Brighton and Hove Autism Partnership Board is being relaunched and will oversee the development of the local Autism Strategy.

We will likely require the successful organisation to deliver the following:

• Development and facilitation of a regular self-advocacy group for autistic adults. As a result, autistic adults are supported to have their say about local services, get involved in local decision making and co-design solutions

• Training and support to the autistic co-chair(s) and self-advocates of the Autism Partnership Board and associated working groups. As a result, autistic self-advocates have equal access to decision making processes as part of the Autism Partnership Board; and development, monitoring and delivering of the Autism Strategy. (The Autism Partnership Board meets at least 4 times a year and there will be up to 6 working groups that meet up to 6 times a year).

• Support to plan and deliver on events associated with the Autism Partnership Board. For example, the Board has discussed having an annual forum so the Autism Partnership Board can feedback their work to the Autistic Community and listen to their experiences.

• An intersectional approach that takes account of any specific communication or access needs of autistic self-advocates.

The Council is using this notice to scope out potential providers and will be directly discussing the opportunity with interested parties. The opportunity may be closed before the published end date, so organisations are encouraged to express their interest as soon as possible.

A more detailed specification is in the process of being developed in partnership with a working group of autistic adults, and we will be looking to have an organisation in place by April 2023.

Providers must submit their expressions of interest via the email address provided below.