South West Learning Disability, Autism & SEND Programme Bulletin - April 2025

Welcome and foreword

We wanted to start this month's bulletin by acknowledging the recent announcements regarding NHS England's organisational transition to the Department of Health and Social Care and the reduction in running costs of Integrated Care Boards.

We appreciate that the road ahead is unsettling and it will be an uncertain and difficult time for everyone working across the NHS, however as a team we are committed to remaining focused on delivering on our key priorities for the population we serve during this process.

Thank you to colleagues across the South West who have reached out to team members with messages of support, we are so appreciative. We will be sure to keep you updated as the process moves forward.

April is World Autism Acceptance Month which provides us with an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood, and empowered. You'll find a number of interesting links, articles and training in this newsletter to celebrate World Autism Acceptance Month.

We would also like to wish everyone a good break over the Easter holidays and want to thank you for your continued hard work and passionate support of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

Graham Carr, Head of Programme for the Learning Disability & Autism Programme

england.learningdisabilityandautism-sw@nhs.net

Please read the full bulletin here: South West Learning Disability, Autism and SEND Bulletin