Our Improvement Objectives: Improvement Objective 4

Improvement Objective 4: Working in partnership to support our citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable

Through citizen-focused projects, including Autism-Friendly and Age-Friendly initiatives.

Why are we doing this?

Almost half of citizens said they would like to see more support services for children and families and/or those with disabilities. Less than half agreed the borough is a good area for supporting equality and inclusion. (Source: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Citizens Survey, 2022).
Figures extracted from the 2022 to 2023 Northern Ireland School Census show that 15,212 school aged children had been diagnosed with autism, representing an estimated autism prevalence rate of 5% within the school aged population. (Source: ‘Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland’ Department of Health and NISRA (2023).
Of 20 actions we could take to make your area a better place to live in, citizens ranked affordable quality housing joint second. 57% agreed the borough is a good area for a sense of belonging among people. (Source: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Citizens Survey, 2022).

Who is responsible?

The Director of Community

What you’ll see

Outcome 1	The promotion and delivery of the Autism-Friendly Initiative.
Measure 1	Deliver 10 Autism-Friendly workshops to service providers by 31 March 2024.
Status: Achieved	A total of 157 people participated in 14 Autism Awareness workshops this year. We held 10 sessions with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, 1 with the Braid Museum and Arts Centre, 2 with Libraries NI, and 1 with the Girls Brigade in Carrickfergus.
Measure 2	Deliver 3 Autism-Friendly Roadshows within Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne by 31 March 2024.
Status: Achieved	The final roadshows have taken place. Life after ASD diagnosis Healthy Living and Healthy Minds was held in Larne in February 2024, with 35 participants. Speakers included the National Autistic Society NI, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Take 5 and Autism teams, the Northern Regional College on healthy eating, Autism NI, and Council departments. The event included a Makaton demonstration. Employability, Benefits, and Independent Living took place in Ballymena in March 2024, with 10 participants. Speakers included the NOW Group, Access Employment Limited, Ulster Supported Employment Limited, Triangle, the Department for Communities, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the Public Health Authority’s Autism team, and Make the Call.
Measure 3	Develop a Communications Plan to raise awareness of the initiative by 31 March 2024.
Status: Delayed but progressing	A series of activities were undertaken throughout the year, including an article on our intranet to mark World Autism Awareness Week, and the promotion of the Autism-Friendly roadshows. 310 staff members have also completed JAM (Just A Minute) Card Training, and we continue to promote further uptake. We are also working with the Equality Commission NI and the Department of Health’s Autism Strategy Team to review the ‘Every Customer Counts Business Checklist’ to ensure it accommodates the needs of autistic people, and will promote the resource when it launches. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.
Measure 4	Deliver 4 Autism-Friendly Action Plans in Council venues by 30 September 2023.
Status: Delayed but progressing	Delivery of the action plans at the Braid Museum and Arts Centre, Larne Arts Centre, Carrickfergus Museum, and Andrew Jackson Cottage is still underway. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25 for implementation by 30 September 2024.
Measure 5	4 additional Autism Champions within Council by 30 September 2023.
Status: Delayed but progressing	Of the 5 people identified for completing Autism NI’s Autism Champion qualification, 1 person completed it by 31 March 2024, with the remaining 4 to do so before 30 September 2024. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.
Measure 6	An Autism Awareness Train the Trainer programme developed and shared with partner organisations by 31 March 2024.
Status: Achieved	A pilot programme was rolled out with Libraries NI in June 2023. The development of a bespoke Train the Trainer programme continues with the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Tactical Support Group unit and the Police Training College. Work continues with Community Planning partners to further refine the generic training materials for in-house use.

Outcome 2	The establishment of an Age-Friendly Alliance.
Measure 1	To develop a Mid and East Antrim Age-Friendly Alliance by 31 December 2023.
Status: Achieved	The first meeting of the Age-Friendly Alliance took place in November 2023, and a second on 23 January 2024.
Measure 2	To develop a Mid and East Antrim Age-Friendly Action Plan by 31 March 2024.
Status: Delayed but progressing	A public consultation on the draft plan took place from 5 April to 31 May 2024. A workshop was held in June to analyse feedback, with subsequent amendments made following a meeting in July. The launch of the plan is now scheduled for October 2024, to coincide with Positive Ageing Month. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.

Outcome 3	The development of a borough-wide Landlord Forum.
Measure 1	To develop a borough-wide Landlord Forum by 31 March 2024.
Status: Achieved	Arrangements for the Mid and East Antrim Landlord Forum to act as a subgroup of the Landlord Association (Northern Ireland) are now in place. However, it has not been possible for the Forum to hold its first meeting as planned this quarter, and as the newsletter intends to promote the meeting, it has also been subject to delay. New dates are being arranged. The Council will step back from its leadership role but will continue to provide appropriate support to the Forum, and will review this within 12 months. We will also continue to engage with community-led initiatives with the aim of achieving sustainable environmental improvements.

Outcome 3

The development of a borough-wide Landlord Forum.

Measure 1

To develop a borough-wide Landlord Forum by 31 March 2024.

Status:

Achieved

Arrangements for the Mid and East Antrim Landlord Forum to act as a subgroup of the Landlord Association (Northern Ireland) are now in place. However, it has not been possible for the Forum to hold its first meeting as planned this quarter, and as the newsletter intends to promote the meeting, it has also been subject to delay. New dates are being arranged.

The Council will step back from its leadership role but will continue to provide appropriate support to the Forum, and will review this within 12 months.

We will also continue to engage with community-led initiatives with the aim of achieving sustainable environmental improvements.

Our Improvement Objectives for 2023/24