Thread by @grrand_team

#AnnaFreud hosted online 300 people who are passionate about #autistic #mentalhealth to showcase work they have been doing with At-Autism partners, independent autistic trainers- experts by experience and mental health services across England.

We loved witnessing real action- not just intention for change with concrete, humble and coproduced steps creating ripples of change using #NATPmentalhealth curriculum to improve outcomes for autistic people
annafreud.org/natp

It was a celebration of a massive @NHSE_WTE effort in which over 110 #autistic people have shaped the narrative and aims, says @JoPavlopoulou and she reminded us the importance of trained Ebes who now self -organise with clinicians to upskill colleagues using #NATPmentalhealth

@NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF CEO Professor Eamon McCrory outlined this train-the-trainer model #NATPmentalhealth Ensuring autistic people receive the mental health care they deserve. Authentic co-production has provided the foundation of this programme, shaping the curriculum.

@NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF The wonderful partnership of #AnnaFreud and #At-Autism was celebrated for all good reasons. Over 43 ppl worked full time on this along with with 25 autistic trainers and over 110 autistic independent content developers (photo only shows few!)

@NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF A wonderful slide on Ubuntu culture was used from our very own @JoPavlopoulou to share her experience of working at #NATPmentalhealth. "We will all leave this programme having a better understanding of the experience of each other- important to work across neurotypes- together!"

@NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF #NATPmentalhealth is transforming outcomes for autistic ppl and their families, fostering environments where neurodivergent voices are heard. Thousands of staff have benefited from these insights in everyday practice - see impact case studies at pagesannafreud.org/natp

@NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @BlackAutistics Olivia Brown gave a stellar talk on how her trainer role was deeply personal, as it marked her first form of employment since receiving her autism diagnosis twelve years ago—a diagnosis that, at the time, brought more struggle than support.

@NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @BlackAutistics We have been passionate about change and love to see #AnnaFreud's commitment to neurodiversity informed care. #NATPmentalhealth does not only bring hope- it delivers truly meaningful results and ideas on how to adapt evidence based practice.

What makes National Autism Trainer Programme special is its high quality resources and its approach to staff wellbeing. NATP curriculum is developed carefully to cover the needs of 6 different strands (inpatient, community, health and justice, residential special education)

We know that shifting mindsets is rarely achieved by telling someone what they are doing and saying is wrong - it takes careful, compassionate facilitation. #NATPmentalhealth autistic trainers worked carefully to facilitate growth conversations. Growth requires safety.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF team still offer 1-1 bespoke FREE support. This approach has helped hundreds of services to take the next step- rehearse their plans, create coherent and truly coproduced action incl evaluation of outcomes and how these meet wider service priorities

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF Autistic and non autistic people working in partnership, focused on outward change, they hadn't considered what the changes would be for themselves. It was powerful to hear trainers reflecting on their experience of the National Autism Trainer Programme #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF At the heart of this conference was the real world implementation of the #NATPmentalhealth curriculum We heard inspiring stories of robust training to upskill mental health staff to improve outcomes across services. This is real impact that saves lives+supports staff @NHSE_WTE

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @JoPavlopoulou explained we promised funder
-Authentic co-design and delivery
-Quality assured materials and content
-Network for, and support for, trainers
-Flexible delivery: Fitting to the service
Today we are showing how we met all these goals.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE Emma and Anna ran the training to upskill their colleagues in October 2024 as face-to-face training, with a cohort of 19 from different professions. Their top tips? Be brave, a pilot is less scary, share your findings, meet ahead of time to plan, be flexible #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE Highlights of what helps clinicians to go ahead:
1) support from the EbE
2) support from service management
3) the #AnnaFreud resources
4) feedback from attendees
5) their request for a wider rollout #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE Anna has first hand experience of trying to get a diagnosis and concomitant struggles to access education and health services. They often heard "You're rude, you're selfish, you need to try harder" #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE #NATPmentalhealth has given Anna further insight into the world that autistic people live in. She feels that she is being heard, and is able to help other communities and groups to be heard. How does she do it? Like a swan, paddling away for dear life. Great work, Anna!

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE A very kind, careful and humane example was given next by another @NHSuk team
Omar Gas, Michael Adams and DK Jonah, East London NHS Foundation Trust Experiences of implementation and building local capacity #NATPmentalhealth
Read more examples here: annafreud.org/training/healt…

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk Their setting is a medium secure forensic specialist autism ward. Often staff struggle with communication in a crisis and this can prevent de-escalation. 10 participants in 3 groups, in August and September 2024. They worked hard to plan and organise ahead. #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk #AnnaFreud's Project Manager Irina Nedelcu reported on barriers to implementation from N=2000 NHS staff
Lack of time (20%)
Staffing challenges (14%) were some key ones
#NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk On the positive side, there were many facilitators that enable good roll out, not least having sufficient funding to support the Experts by Experience!

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk youtube.com/watch?v=-8DV06…
Here more from #NATPmentalhealth experts by experience and find their profiles at annafreud.org/natp

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk Autistic lives matter- currently suffer premature deaths “If NATP has been available before my hospitalization, I may not have been detained.” Powerful first person insight from Lauren Fernandez, NATP trainer and content developer #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @JoPavlopoulou paid a tribute to the organisational genius of Ruth Moyse and Jacky Towells of @AT_Autism who worked with dedication to support this massive operation by @AFNCCF and were crucial partners. This took commitment, flexibility, teamwork, kindness from all who took part

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism National Autism Trainer Programme experts by experience continue the legacy of training and are working across the country. With the programme coming to an end, the drive now is for empowering the #NATPmentalhealth Trainers to co-deliver.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism Delegates identified areas in which they would like more support #NATPmentalhealth
• regular group reflection space
• access to sensory items in waiting areas and clinic rooms,
• time to contact families and YP before seeing them
• All professionals to undertake NATP!

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism Don't forget there is a collection of 16 real-life case studies on the #AnnaFreud website. #NATPmentalhealth This learning has been shared by delegates who have completed the NATP train the trainer course and now train staff in their local services
annafreud.org/natp

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism Kate Walder from HCRG Care Group and David Crisp, National Autism Trainer Programme Expert by Experience shared experience of #NATPmentalhealth Rollout within HCRG Care Group includes many different services.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism The impact was substantial. There was a culture shift in attitudes, a reduction in complaints, changes in the use of language. EbEs had the greatest impact and were essential to delivery of the #NATPmentalhealth training.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism Final session was with Jessika Morgan-McNeil and Nellie Allsop from South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust Jessika notes that a lot of professionals want more training in autism and eating disorders. #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism Again, we heard a very careful and caring plan and delivery with the experience of autistic Ebe bringing into life the #NATPmentalhealth curriculum which aims to support confidence in adaptations to evidence based interventions to improve outcomes

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism Nellie, #NATPmentalhealth enthusiastic Ebe shared proudly feedback from her deliveries
We see again the diffference it makes to codeliver authentically this curriculum to upskill clinicians.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism A vibrant panel followed presentations-key message;
Connect with colleagues. There’s 5,000 people who have trained. You are the expert. People want to hear your story Play on your and each others' strengths #NATPmentalhealth

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism The team has written a paper led by @ElaineMcgreevy @JoPavlopoulou expanding on experience sensitive approach that has been core to all NATP business
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00…

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism @ElaineMcgreevy Many of the contributors and colleagues at #NATPmentalhealth have also co-authored #AnnaFreud's best practice clinical series- free access to online pdf with some HEE and NHS accounts.
routledge.com/Improving-Ment…

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism @ElaineMcgreevy Is that wrap? Yes for now but @NHSE_WTE are committed to support autistic experts by experience to continue working to upskill workforce- now we have an excellent curriculum and 5000 trained clinicians up to trainer level. Thanks @JoPavlopoulou Ruth Moyse and everyone involved.

@JoPavlopoulou @AFNCCF @NHSE_WTE @NHSuk @AT_Autism @ElaineMcgreevy @UnrollHelper pls :)