Moving Forward with the All-Age Autism Framework
Black Country LDA Board has approved a strategic 3-year plan
High Level Ambitions 2023-2026
Over the next 3 years as we move towards our vision and the improved outcomes, we are putting in place a strategic and operational planning framework to ensure we deliver against the AAAF for autistic people in the Black Country. Our aims include:
- Delivering our AAAF objectives year-on-year.
- Continuing to inform autism population needs assessments and strategies across Black Country.
- Working with Place Boards to address inequalities through wider determinants of health: physical health; mental health; education; employment; training; housing; access to diagnosis; access to services; early intervention & support.
- Developing sustainable community support for all autistic children, young people and adults to improve outcomes.
What is Black Country Learning Disability and Autism Board (LDA Board)
The Black Country Learning Disability and Autism Board (LDA Board) helps run a program to support people with learning disabilities and autism.
In 2020, they were asked to apply for funds to improve the experience of autistic people seeking diagnosis and support before and after diagnosis.
They decided to use the funds to work with autistic people, their families, carers, and professionals to understand their experiences in the Black Country.
This is not a formal strategy but a way to understand how autistic people live in the Black Country. This helps public services and other organisations improve the lives of autistic children, young people, and adults.
This is what the original roadmap project was designed for.
Get Involved
Help shape the future. Be part of community and and participate in our monthly stakeholder meetings.
- Register via this online form and we will be in touch with next steps.
- For information and queries email: bchft.autismroadmap@nhs.net
If you are autistic, or care for or work with autistic citizens, why not come along to the All-Age Autism Framework for the Black Country Stakeholder Group.
The meetings are chance to meet others and share experiences in the autistic community in the Black Country.
Meetings take place on Microsft Teams alternating times and day each month with one meeting in the daytime (12.30pm to 1.30pm) and another in the evening (6.30pm to 7.30pm).
If you want to come along, simply email bchft.autismroadmap@nhs.net to receive a link for your preferred meeting.
Upcoming meeting dates:
Monday 8 December 2025
6.30pm to 7.30pm
Learn more about the All-Age Autism Framework in this webinar.
Meet Tim, the project support officer for the All-Age Autism Framework for the Black Country and Lived Experience Consultant at Black County Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Find out more about Tim's role and what inspires his work to support autistic people across the Black Country.
What does today mean for you?
Today, I've been in meetings with colleagues, including Will, our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion lead, discussing funding opportunities for the autistic community. I also hosted a stakeholder meeting with partners, professionals, parents, and autistic individuals to discuss Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and reasonable adjustments at work. In between, I've been responding to emails and organising a new networking meeting with partners across the West Midlands.
What do you do?
As a project support officer for the all-age autism framework project, and a lived experience consultant, I help run the project, attend and host meetings, and encourage partners to work together. I'm also involved in other Trust work, including the children and young people diagnosis pathway, staff disability network, and I co-chair the small supports group.
What is the best aspect of your job?
Talking to people. It’s a stereotype that autistic individuals aren’t social, but it’s my favourite part of the role. I’m proud to help create change, and I feel like I’m giving something back.
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
As an autistic person I’ve been given the opportunity to work within the trust. I’d like to encourage more of that and make more opportunities for autistic people. I’d like to see more organisations adapt the work environment so autistic people can contribute. They want to but societal pressures, procedures, policies can all stand in the way. That’s what I am trying to help with this work, to open pathways for thinking differently.