The Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service was officially launched at County Hall in Cardiff today.

Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey

The new service will be run by Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, as part of a nationwide Welsh Government initiative.

The Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service is designed to provide a single point of contact for autistic adults, families with autistic children and carers looking after adults or children with autism.

Based in Penarth, the Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Team brings together the work of both the local authorities, the health board and voluntary organisations.

The team will co-ordinate the help that is available, providing a better level of service and tailoring support for autistic adults, their families and their carers. The new service will also help to avoid any duplication of services to improve efficiency.

The Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service is jointly funded by Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey, said: "Today's launch of the Integrated Autism Service marks a significant moment in developing support for all people with autism, their families and their carers living in Cardiff and the Vale.

"It is also an opportunity to recognise the ongoing commitment from Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board and our partners in the third sector to deliver services together for the benefit of everyone across the region.

"I am extremely proud that the Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service is one of the first to launch as part of Welsh Government's all-Wales initiative.

"In Cardiff and the Vale we have a proven track record of delivering services for adults with autism and those who care for them. The Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service allows us to bring many of these services together, and to work in partnership to develop new services and means of support.

Cllr Gordon Kemp, Vale of Glamorgan Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Leisure, said: "By working in partnership with both statutory and voluntary services operating across the region, the new Integrated Autism Service will enable an holistic approach to supporting people with autism.

"The team brings together a wide range of professionals with a huge amount of experience and knowledge who understand the importance of working with and listening to the people using the service, ensuring it meets their needs, delivers positive outcomes and continues to develop.

"This is an excellent example of regional working and one that the Vale of Glamorgan Council is delighted to be at the heart of."

Mental Health Clinical Director at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Annie Procter said: "We are delighted to be part of this initiative which will help to provide support for people of all ages who are affected by the challenges that autism presents.

"Increasingly autism is being recognised as having an enormous impact on the day-to-day living of people with the diagnosis and their families, carers and friends.

"This new funding is a most welcome start to improving the diagnosis of autism in affected individuals, developing the care, education and support that will make a real difference to how autism is perceived, and it will increase access to enhanced services that will have a positive impact on those who most need them."

The Cardiff and Vale Integrated Autism Service can be contacted either by calling 029 2182 4240 or by emailing CAV.IAS@wales.nhs.uk