WM ADASS has a well-established Network, which focuses on people with a learning disability and autistic people. Members are from each of the 14 Councils and hold roles that include commissioners and operational managers; the network also includes members from relevant Directorates in NHS provider Trusts.
During 205/26 the Network has:
- Hosted presentations on a range of key issues including the Mental Health Act Reforms, research projects about the experiences of Parents with a Learning Disability using social care services and BASW’s Voting Rights Campaign
- Reflected on lessons learned from poor service delivery resulting in closure, and disseminating that knowledge across the region
- Undertaken short term pieces of work involving representatives of the Network, to look at practice elsewhere in the country and sharing that information across the network – such as Housing and Named worker approach to social work team allocation.
Current focus:
- Research Webinar 30 April 2026 presenting research findings from 4 academic studies with the objective of enhancing professionals' knowledge to help them improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
- Mental Health Act Reforms online workshop, hosted by the President of ADASS and West Midlands DASS Rashpal Bishop, including key stakeholders from NHSE and the MoJ.
Vince, who is collaborating with WM-ADASS in our work on LD&A, shares his powerful story of living with autism in this video available on YouTube.
About this Network
This virtual Network meets quarterly with the overarching objective of supporting members to have access to information about best practice in service design, research development and national policy to support continuous improvement. Additionally, it:
- supports LAs and partner ICBs and NHS Trusts in collecting and presenting data that assists with future planning of provision.
- helps LAs and their partners understand their geography, demographics, and economies to help achieve appropriate balance of specialist care and support providers.
- promote and demonstrate co-production, working in partnership with people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their families.
- provides opportunities for members to have access to current research and information about relevant case law developments.
The Network is chaired by Becky Hale, Warwickshire County Council, and supported by Catherine Nolan WM ADASS.