Mapping and evaluating Specialist Autism Team service models
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The SHAPE project: Supporting adults with High-functioning Autism and asPerger syndromE. Mapping and evaluating Specialist Autism Team service models
IRAS ID
151588
Contact name
Bryony Beresford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 29 days
Research summary
The 2010 Autism Strategy was published by government in response to high levels of concern about the well-being of adults with autism, including those with high functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger syndrome (AS). It is estimated that 1 in 200 adults have this diagnosis.
The Autism Strategy requires localities to improve support for adults with HFA & AS. It recommends specialist, community-based, multi-disciplinary teams are set up to provide, coordinate and oversee services. Recent national guidance called these teams ‘Specialist Autism Teams’ (SATs). However, no evidence exists about the staffing of these teams and how they should operate. As a result a number of different ‘service models’ have emerged among the small number of localities which have developed a SAT. This project will investigate the different SAT service models which currently exist. It will compare them in terms of their impact on the lives of users, their costs and user experiences.
There are three stages. First, we will establish the different types of SATs which have been set up across England. Second, we will select examples of the different types and take a detailed look at whether they are making a difference to users’ lives. We will also investigate whether a particular type(s) of SAT works better than other types of SAT. Data on users’ well-being, psychosocial and economic outcomes will be collected at assessment and 3, 6 and 12 months later. We will also interview a sub-sample of service users and family members, and professionals who work in, or with, the SATs. Finally, we will estimate the costs of the different SAT models and investigate whether the cost of providing particular services (eg. diagnosis, social support) varies between teams. Once complete, a range of reports/guidelines will be produced for the different audiences who will find the research findings useful.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0708
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion