A new plan aimed at improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Birmingham and Solihull has been launched.

The three-year delivery plan, led by the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Provider Collaborative, brings together the NHS, social care, and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sectors, with a shared commitment to work more closely alongside people with lived experience.

Through 10 areas for action, its focus is on improving care and support in the community, reducing avoidable hospital admissions, and strengthening preventative services to enable people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.

More than 70 professionals from across health and social care attended a launch event during Learning Disability Week, where partners explored how they will collectively deliver the plan. Examples of good practice were also showcased, including the Autism West Midlands Key Worker Service, BSMHFT’s Autism Enhanced Support Team, and Birmingham SEND team’s Autism and Me project supporting children and young people.

The event was shaped and inspired by powerful stories from two people with lived experience, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for change.

Jennifer, Project Assistant for the Pregnancy to Parenthood project at CASBA, shared her story of growing up with Cerebral Palsy, her traumatic experience as new parent with a learning disability and the changes professionals need to make to ensure that people with a learning disability are treated fairly.

She said: “I can’t change the world, but I hope I can change the way professionals see parents with a disability.

“The greatest disability of all is those who don’t respect or treat us the same as everyone else.”

Jill, who also has a learning disability, shared her journey towards living more independently, and the challenges she and people supporting her faced in finding suitable accommodation.

Richard Kirby, Chief Executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare and Senior Responsible Officer for Learning Disabilities and Autism across Birmingham and Solihull, said:

“People with a learning disability and autistic people have the same right as anyone else to live independent, fulfilling lives. The difference is ensuring they have the right care and support to make this a reality.

“This plan sets out how we will work together across health and social care, the NHS and the voluntary sector to deliver that support.

“From maintaining accurate GP registers so people can access annual health checks, to reducing reliance on inpatient care, our commitment is clear. We will work with and for people with a learning disability and autistic people to ensure they receive a fair deal and are supported to live healthy, happy lives.”

To read the new plan in full, visit our website.