Independent Autism Reviewer appointed

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has appointed Northern Ireland’s first independent Autism Reviewer.

Minister Nesbitt pictured with Independent Autism Reviewer Ema Cubitt

Ema Cubitt was selected for the role following a Public Appointment Competition and will take up office in September for a five-year period.

Although the Reviewer has been appointed by the Department of Health, the role is independent of Northern Ireland departments. The Reviewer’s role will include monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Autism Strategy and reviewing the adequacy of services provided to autistic people, their families and carers across government departments, public bodies and the health and social care sector.

Minister Nesbitt said: “I am delighted to be able to appoint an independent Autism Reviewer for Northern Ireland as I understand the importance of this post for autistic people and their families. I would like to wish Ema the very best as she prepares to take up the position.

“We all have a responsibility and a role to play in ensuring that autistic people and their families can feel understood, accepted and supported within our communities and in the delivery of our services. My Department will continue to work in partnership across government departments, the health and social care sector, public bodies and the community and voluntary sector, to make this happen.”

Mrs Cubitt said: “I am honoured to take on this responsibility and I am committed to serving the autistic community.

“It is crucially important that we all work together across our public services to address the challenges faced by autistic people and I am committed to ensuring that their voices, and those of their families and carers, are heard.

“Alongside Northern Ireland's autistic community, I am dedicated to overseeing consistent delivery of high standards and best practice across government departments and public services.”

The Reviewer’s statutory responsibilities will include monitoring service effectiveness and funding, reviewing the adequacy of laws and practices, commissioning research on best practices, and providing annual reports and advice to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mrs Cubitt is a Law and Governance graduate from Ulster University and holds a postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University, Belfast. She has extensive experience as a qualified solicitor in both private practice and public service over a period of 15 years.

Over the last three years, Mrs Cubitt has provided unpaid assistance to families and carers facing difficulties accessing support in the areas of social security, education, and employment.

Notes to editors: 

1. A requirement of the Autism (Amendment) Act (NI) 2022 is the appointment of an independent Autism Reviewer for Northern Ireland. The competition to appoint an Autism Reviewer took place when the Northern Ireland Assembly was not sitting. Due to the financial constraints facing the Department, the difficult decision was taken at the time to pause the appointment process.
2. The Autism Reviewer will provide an independent monitoring role in relation to the implementation of the Autism (Amendment) Act (NI) 2022 and the implementation of the Autism Strategy 2023 to 2028. The Strategy was published in December 2023 and can be found here: Autism Strategy 2023-2028 | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
3.  The appointment is for a period of five years and the Autism Reviewer is eligible to apply for reappointment for one further term.

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