- Provides an independent monitoring role in relation to the implementation of the Autism Strategy for Northern Ireland, including how funding is allocated and spent across Departments;
- Understands and assesses the effectiveness of the laws and practices in place in relation to autistic people;
- Keeps under review and reports on the adequacy and effectiveness of the care and services being provided to autistic people, their families, and carers;
- Promotes collaboration between sectors, bodies, and organisations in relation to policy development and service delivery;
- Acts as a strong voice for autistic people, their families, and carers, contributing to public debate and discourse on autism;
- Engages and collaborates with individuals, families, bodies, organisations, and Departments to ensure her work is informed by lived experience and grounded in evidence;
- Provides advice and guidance to the Northern Ireland Assembly and across Government, helping Departments and officials to understand, consider, and integrate the needs of autistic people when developing public policy and legislation;
- Challenges decisions where the needs of autistic people are not being considered, and where such consideration would benefit society as a whole;
- Builds an evidence base to aid decision-making and influence policy by conducting or commissioning research on international best practice in relation to autism.
To carry out her work effectively, Ema undertakes a broad range of engagement with stakeholders, bodies, and organisations, both statutory and non-statutory.
Through this engagement role, Ema seeks feedback on the experiences of individuals and those who support them. While the Reviewer cannot resolve individual cases, the experiences shared help identify patterns and systemic issues that inform her scrutiny work and reports and advice to the Assembly.