Children and Families Bill SEND Reforms: Implications and Impacts for voluntary organisations in Southwark

Children and Families Bill Integrated assessments (education, health and social care – EHC) and integrated commissioning (health and local authority) Duty to publish a Local Offer Right to request a Personal Budget

Integrated assessments and commissioning Aim is that an integrated assessment will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of an individual child’s needs. Impacts Fuller understanding of the child and their needs/ interests at the point of referral Different types of services may be asked for May be a need for service re-design, staff development – you may already have better models of supporting individuals

Local Offer Purpose of the local offer is to enable parents and young people to see more clearly what services are available in their area and how to access them. Covers provision for 0-25 years, across education, health and social care Being developed in partnership with parents and young people in the borough

Local Offer - Impact Opportunity to promote your service Will be promoted by the council and partners as the “go to place” for information so very important you are on there We will be circulating information on how to get your organisation on the Southwark offer in June

Personal Budgets - Definition A personal budget is the money the council allocates to an individual to meet their eligible support needs This does not have to be a cash payment. Families can choose to have the money managed by the Council A Personal Budget is seen to give more control as families can see how much money is being spent on each aspect of their support

Personal Budgets – Possible Impacts 1 Opportunity to increase business –Good service, but limited to volume of work commissioned –Not commissioned by the council, so don’t get referrals Opportunity to provide support in new and different ways –Respond to requests from young people and families –Not defined by the Council – by the personal budget holder Opportunity to focus on individual needs Increased focus on quality and customer satisfaction

Personal Budgets – Possible Impacts 2 Threat to core funding –No new money – has to come from existing commissioning spend –18 month agreements, but if high demand for personal budgets and families are not choosing your services, ongoing funding levels will need to be reviewed Develop new costing models – cost per person; per session; per week etc New income streams – how to manage

Personal Budgets – Possible Impacts 3 What do your service users want? What parts of your services can you make more individualised (and what can’t you)? Who are your competitors? And who are your collaborators?

Implications The market of organisations offering services is likely to increase –Think about what makes you unique –Promote your services –Respond to what families say they want/ need –Understand the costs of your service and how you can be competitive –Talk with your commissioners and contract managers about your funding needs