Capabilities statement issued to fill social workers’ autism ‘knowledge gap’

Government-commissioned guidance has been issued to fill a “knowledge gap” among social workers in practice with autistic adults.

The capabilities statement, developed by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), is designed to equip practitioners to work with autistic adults in a relationship- and strengths-based way while also providing challenge to other services and professionals.

Autistic adults who worked with BASW to develop the guidance said they felt there was a knowledge gap among social workers in working with the group.

Specific issues they raised included practitioners working in a stigmatising way with autistic parents, a lack of access to Care Act needs assessments, and the anxiety caused by home visits.

They said they preferred receiving support from social workers with specialist knowledge of autism, and the statement said practitioners should seek out training led by an autistic person to improve their knowledge base.

This is in line with the Care Act 2014, whose assessment regulations require that local authorities ensure that anyone carrying out an assessment has the skills, knowledge and competence to carry it out and is appropriately trained.

Preparing for assessments

The statement emphasises the importance of preparation for home visits and assessments with autistic adults, because of the need to minimise their anxiety and ensure environmental and sensory needs are considered.

This includes social workers writing to the adult before their visit to explain their role and purpose, being punctual, understanding communication needs and doing what they say they will do. As a result assessments may take longer than for other adults, the statement says.

Autistic adults who contributed to the statement said that social workers should involve autistic self-advocates in home visits to increase trust between themselves and practitioners. The statement says social workers should promote self-advocacy to enable autistic adults to identify their needs and challenge professionals.

Challenging oppressive practice

But it also says that social workers should act as advocates for autistic people themselves, including by using their knowledge of the law, power and legal status to challenge oppressive practices in autism services.

In the wake of multiple cases of institutional abuse of adults with learning disabilities or autism, such as Winterbourne View and Whorlton Hall, the statement emphasises the importance of autistic adults being supported in the community, rather than hospitals, wherever possible.

It also highlights the community-based safeguarding risks autistic adults often face, such as ‘mate crime’, grooming and modern slavery, and the importance of social workers being aware of these.

The statement was prepared following focus groups with two groups of autistic adults and one of carers, two workshops with social workers, commissioners and managers, observations of services and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, and overseen by a steering groups of practitioners, autistic adults, carers and practice leaders.

It is designed to be in line with the professional capabilities framework (PCF) and support practitioners to meet the requirements of the knowledge and skills statement for adult social work practice.

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