1. Education, Health and Care Plans Sensory Service Implications
Tony Bowyer
Sensory Service Lead
Leeds City Council

2. The Leeds context Currently 180K CYP but 253K aged 0 - 25
2,000 statements
400 new statements last year
Funding is not linked to statements – banded system
Services can be accessed without statements
Most sensory impaired children do not have a statement

3. Co-producing the new assessment process and EHC plan in Leeds
Development led by statutory SEN team
Development assisted by working group from Education, Health, Social Care including - Sensory Service, paediatricians, therapy managers, parent/carer forum, the voluntary sector, transitions team and schools etc.
CYP consulted at each stage of the planning

4. Features of producing an EHC Plan
A home visit by SEN case officer to each family upon request for assessment; to listen to their story and discuss outcomes and support the ‘tell us once’ approach
Info gathered
Multi-Agency Panel (MAP) meeting to make decisions whether to assess – can include sensory service professionals
Families invited to MAP and take part in the discussions

5. Features of producing an EHC plan (2)
Common form for all advice givers that supports the outcomes model and collects the views, aspirations, strengths of the child
Plan drafted
A Next Steps meeting – family and professionals agree outcomes and the draft plan; and include the personal budget discussion
Person centred plan produced
Family can choose a key worker / facilitator - to support them at meetings etc. throughout

6. EHC pilot
6 families trialled the new process - including a pupil with visual impairment
Moving target with the updates to the Code of Practice
Initial feedback very positive
Full feedback meetings with schools, families and professionals mid-July 2014
Speak to Rachel about Xanthe. We had to ensure mum could be included in the MAP by allowing her all the information on her IPAD.

7. Issues for Sensory Service - Time
Time required in new process to
Produce more detailed and holistic reports with detailed outcomes, pupil views etc.
Attend MAP decision making panels as required
Attend Next Steps meeting – approx. 2 hours each
Provide facilitator / key worker role if requested
But - May save time by getting it right first time

8. Issues – greater numbers
Extended age range – 0 to 25
Extended range of settings - not just schools
Post 19 students funding through EHC plan
Greater awareness among professionals and parents
Potential lure of personal budgets
Conversion programme for statements

9. Issues - Professional development
Understanding the purpose, principles, process and paperwork
Multi agency coordination – skills and language
Gathering and reflecting true pupil voice, aspirations etc.
Developing, articulating, delivering and measuring SMART outcomes
Writing more person centred holistic advice
Working as a key worker/facilitator

10. Issues – personal budgets
Social Care – creative thinking re short breaks, respite, support workers, local resources etc.
Health - ?
Education –
what can be disaggregated?
What will work in schools?
Specificity versus personal budgets?
Funding Element 3 – top up funding?

11. Thank you for listening