National Autistic Society - National Brokerage Project

What is the National Brokerage Project? The National Brokerage Project is a three-year project run by The National Autistic Society. It is funded by the Department of Health’s Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund (IESD). Support brokerage is about making sure that people with autism and their families get support to plan and make choices. It enables people to get the life they choose and get good support to meet their assessed needs.

Support brokers develop plans with the person, help in negotiations with local authorities and assist in the implementation of the plan. Support brokers also support the reviewing process.  

What are our project aims?

• To offer autism specific brokerage to people who have autism in Newcastle, Greater Manchester, Plymouth, Leicester/Northampton and their surrounding areas.
• To empower people who have autism and  their families to understand social care and health systems. To share best practice across all sectors UK-wide.
• To identify internal and external researchers and implement research measures to quantify satisfaction of brokerage support.
• To test and develop a sustainable model for the delivery of brokerage support.  

How will this be done?

• The project will be led by the National  Brokerage Coordinator.
• There will be four Broker Development Workers, one for each geographical area. A national network of Pay As You Go brokers will be developed.
• Twenty-four Family Information Sharing days will  be held over three years, offering informationto people and their families about self-directed support and brokerage.
• The project will be steered by the Project Team, Project Board and National Steering Group.

Outcomes for people with autism:

• People who have autism and their families are empowered to develop creative, cost-effective solutions to get the life they choose, not just a service.
• Over three years, more than 2,000 people who have autism develop a person-centred support plan with their broker.
• Over 100 people are trained to be a network of brokers. People who have autism report improvements in the way they are supported following brokerage, in relation to things like circles of support, technical advice, and access to community resources.
• People with support plans report improved outcomes, such as increased self-esteem and reduced social isolation.
• People who have autism get technical advice about issues that need specific knowledge such as the purchase of equipment, housing issues, and employing a personal assistant.
• People who have autism get objective information about providers of support in their area to enable decision-making.  

Impact on the sector and community:  

• Awareness of the needs of people who have autism in relation to personalisation is increased across the health and social care sector.
• Key stakeholders report having a better understanding of autism  and personalisation. Raise awareness of personalisation amongst providers of support and provide direct liaison and negotiation with providers and commissioners.
• Provide more mediation to resolve problems (as directed by the individual) Undertake community mapping to provide up to date information about each local area. Share this resource locally.
• Develop, test and evaluate a sustainable and replicable model for autism specific brokerage. Produce and share a toolkit and guide. C
• ollect and share positive examples of how people’s lives have changed and the type of lives they lead as a result of autism-specific brokerage will be collected and shared.  

About The National Autistic Society We are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. With the help of our members, supporters and volunteers we provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. Nearly 700,000 people in the UK have autism. Together with their families they make up over 2.7 million people whose lives are touched by autism every single day. From good times to challenging times, The National Autistic Society is there at every stage, to help transform the lives of everyone living with autism.   We are proud of the difference we make. Contact: Lesley Waugh National Brokerage Coordinator