Issue - meetings

Overnight Short Breaks Provision for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Meeting: 19/12/2017 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Overnight Short Breaks Provision for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Outcome of the Consultation and Business Case pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report provided results of the recent consultation concerning the proposed relocation of overnight short break services from Aut Even to Parklands and also provided a business case which demonstrated how the relocation would be beneficial to all stakeholders.

 

The Cabinet had agreed to consult on the proposals on 4 April 2017. The outcome of consultation was summarised in section 4 of the report and full details were set out in Appendix 1 to the report. It was noted that 27 questionnaires were returned and 12 people had attended open meetings. The report stated that there were not any overwhelming issues to prevent the proposals being taken forward.

 

The Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 5 December 2017 and its comments were set out in section 8 of the report.

 

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the proposals, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

The Cabinet noted the outcome of the consultation process, as set out in section 4 and Appendix 1 of the report and the comments of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in section 8 to the report.

141/2017

The Cabinet agreed to relocate the Overnight Short Breaks Service from Aut Even to Parklands, as set out in the business case at Appendix 3 of the report, subject to approval of the proposals by Medway Clinical Commissioning Group.

142/2017

The Cabinet agreed to a further report being presented to the Cabinet setting out the business case for the future use of Aut Even in more detail, which will include potential use for supported accommodation and other options.

143/2017

The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director, Children and Adults Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), to consider and authorise the provision of a seventh room at Parklands, if this is feasible and can be contained within existing budget provision.

 

Reasons:

 

This decision will ensure that Medway is able to improve the support it provides to children with disabilities and their families.

 

Providing early support and low level intervention will reduce the need for emergency and long term placements and can contribute towards cost savings across a range of services.

 

The decision to move the overnight short breaks service from Aut Even to Parklands will enhance the service currently provided and enable the service to expand, thereby providing additional support to children with disabilities and their families.

Any changes to the service will need to be approved by the Cabinet and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, as it is a jointly funded provision.