Strategic Review of Children’s Disability Services Sally Morris

Context Rising expectations SEN and Disability Green Paper NHS Reform Education Reform Static or declining budgets

KEY FINDINGS Informal links between agencies generally good and link with parents good in parts No joint strategic vision and commissioning strategy Historical lack of child focus within health commissioning Delivery of services too often based around service boundaries, rather than around children and families

KEY FINDINGS - continued Standards of information, transparency and empowerment of children, young people and parents patchy Sharing of information between agencies not well developed Need to extend the range of short break opportunities and reduce reliance on residential Increase the use of personalised budgets

Evidence of best practice Involving children, young people and families Effective service structure – links to family Value for money – invest in what works Delivery should be inclusive and flexible Audit and monitor service delivery

Vision ‘Medway services work together to empower and support children with disabilities and their families; providing services which are easily accessible, responsive to their needs, identified through integrated assessment, and delivered when and where required.’

Inter-agency governance Board for Children with Disabilities – new CT Vulnerable children’s group Review of performance management systems More effective use of Joint Commissioning group

Integrated strategy Agree joint strategic commissioning framework for children’s disability services Strengthen joint commissioning: context of future LA role in promoting joining up of local NHS services, social care and health improvement Shared use of buildings and other resources

Integrated processes Better data sharing between agencies Single assessment process – Education, Health and Care Plan (Green paper) Shared approach to children’s service workforce development

Services focusing on children and young people Aiming High Core Standards Local offer to disabled children Review coordination of early years support Personalised budgets Easily accessible short breaks Review residual ‘traditional’ overnight short breaks – purpose built accommodation

Integrated front line working Refocusing of services around the needs of children and families Integrated service delivery Future of Parklands Review of health-related input to special schools CAMHS and other well being support