Note the findings of the consultation and approve the revised model of delivering short break services to disabled children, teenagers and their families.

1.      That the proposed model of delivery for short break provision be approved.

2.      That the revised threshold criteria be approved.

3.      That the timescale for the delivery of the model be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing that summarised the feedback from the consultation on the transformation of short break services and sought approval of a revised model of provision.  The Council had a legal obligation to provide or commission short breaks for children with a disability and produce a Short Breaks Statement setting out a range of services provided, any eligibility criteria and how services were designed to meet the needs of local carers.

The Chairman invited the public speakers to make their statements in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme.

Ms Higgins spoke on behalf of Families United Network and highlighted their concerns that the proposed changes would place additional burden on families with disabled children.  Families found that having their children cared for at home was very beneficial.  The voluntary sector were a great support and there should be additional funding provided to this sector.

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing explained that the new model would empower families and children to have a more personalised approach to short breaks improving quality, choice and availability.  The proposed changes would be delivered over a 3 year period ensuring a smooth transition for families, consolidation of the new commissioning framework and the universal services offer.  She welcomed the support provided by the voluntary sector.

The Deputy Executive Member for Social Care and Housing explained that universal services would be made more accessible and families would be sign posted to specialist services where appropriate and that staff would be provided with appropriate training.

Ms Green spoke on behalf of Special Needs and Parents Charity (SNAP) and was pleased that SNAP had a good working relationship with the Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group.  The charity had commissioned a short break survey and Ms Green highlighted some of the results from their survey.  She expressed concerned about the impact of the proposals on families with disabled children and requested that if the proposals were approved that they be introduced gradually.

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing clarified the intent behind the proposals and confirmed that the Council would work closely with those organisations involved. 

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing explained that this was the first phase of the transformation of services in this area.  Work was being carried out with universal providers to improve access to those services. 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to respond to the recent changes in legislation and guidance, and support children remaining with their own families.

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposed model of delivery for short break provision be approved;

2.      that the revised threshold criteria be approved; and

3.      that the timescale for the delivery of the model be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

To review the impact of the proposed efficiencies including those proposed for short breaks.

This item was deferred to the Executive meeting on 10 October 2017.

This item was deferred to the Executive meeting on 10 October 2017.

To review the impact of the proposed efficiencies including those proposed for short breaks.

The Chairman confirmed that one member of the public had registered to speak who raised the following points in summary:-

·           The concern of many parents carers, their families and voluntary organisations regards the impact of proposed changes to funding and levels of service provided.

·           That support was required for the development of services to ensure they met the differing needs of users.

·           That Members of the Committee ought to formally consider the parent carer survey results contained within the report.

In light of the points raised by the member of the public the Head of Service for Children with Disabilities outlined the four levels of change proposed within the report, the Council’s statutory duty to provide the service and the differing levels of need of service users.  The changes would enable a targeted use of the budget, meeting the efficiencies set out within the Mid Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and Members’ attention was drawn to Appendix C, which contained details of the legal implications of the proposed changes, with the need for Members to be cognisant of the subsequent impact on families.  Regular progress reports  would be  delivered to the Committee at every appropriate stage.

In light of the report Members discussed the following in summary:-

·           Concern that children not yet in the system were waiting too long for assessments, impacting the wider family, with parents often reticent about ‘labelling’ their children.

·           The importance of supporting those children who didn’t meet the current Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) threshold yet still required additional support.

·           That not enough financial detail had been provided within the report in order for Members to have made an informed decision regarding the impact of efficiency savings, with a need for a robust reviewing process to be put in place in order to regularly assess the impact of change.

·           That a reduction in funding did not necessarily equate to a reduction in service.  The proposals offered an opportunity for the Council to utilise best practice.

·           A need to educate children from an early age in order to dispel negative attitudes towards those with disabilities and the need to address the distances some families had to travel in order to access services.

·           Concerns that recent changes to benefits would be compounded by the proposed efficiency savings, having a detrimental impact on families.

·           That the proposed efficiencies could have similar benefits to those for adults within the social care system, allowing greater freedom to choose individually tailored services, with personal budgets managed by families rather than paid directly to organisations. 

·           Concerns around the length of time taken to assess a child’s needs, the category they were placed in and that safeguards were required in order to ensure the focus of proposed changes was not solely financially led.

In summary, whilst Members broadly supported the proposals they were uncomfortable with the untested efficiency savings highlighted within the report and the potential impact on the voluntary sector and families.

RECOMMENDED:-

1.         That the broad model of delivery be supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23