- Provide an independent monitoring role in relation to the implementation of the Autism Strategy for Northern Ireland, including the allocation and expenditure of funding across Departments;
- Understand and assess the effectiveness of the laws and practices in place in relation to people with autism.
- Keep under review and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of the care and services being provided to autistic people, their families, and carers.
- Promote the collaboration between sectors, bodies and organisations in relation to policy development and service delivery.
- Act as a strong voice for people with autism, their families, and carers, participating in the public debate and discourse in relation to autism.
- Engage and collaborate with individuals, families, bodies, organisations and Departments to ensure the work of the Reviewer is informed by lived experience and is evidence-based.
- Provide advice and guidance to the NI Assembly and across Government, helping Departments and officials understand, consider, and integrate the needs of autistic when developing public policy and legislation.
- Challenge decisions where the needs of people with autism are not being considered, and where such consideration would be beneficial for society as a whole.
- Build an evidence base to aid decision making and influence policy, by conducting or procuring bespoke research on international best practice in relation to autism.
To carry out their work effectively, the Reviewer will undertake a broad range of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, bodies, and organisations, both statutory and non-statutory.
Whilst through their engagement role, the Reviewer may wish to obtain feedback on the experiences of individuals and those who support them, it should be emphasised that it is not within the Reviewer’s remit to get directly involved in individual cases.