Issue - meetings

Short Breaks Sufficiency Strategy 2024-27

Meeting: 29/10/2024 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Medway Short Breaks Sufficiency Strategy 2024-27 PDF 195 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Background:

The report outlined to Cabinet the findings and recommendations of the short break sufficiency review undertaken by Children Services Commissioning in July – October 2023. The review found that the number of children with disabilities had risen significantly and the number of children and families who received a short break grant had risen by 68% since 2016. This negatively impacted families who were experiencing longer wait times to have their needs assessed and met, as well as significant cost implications for the Council.

A strategy had been developed, outlining the Council’s plan. This sought to broaden the availability and uptake of inclusive universal services by those who could access them. The aim was to also make changes so that places on targeted and specialist short break schemes were available to those who needed them the most.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

Decision number:	Decision:
	The Cabinet noted the limitations of the existing model for short breaks in Medway.
132/2024	The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Short Breaks Sufficiency Strategy 2024-27, attached at Appendix 1 to the report.
133/2024	The Cabinet supported the following priorities, which had been designed to ensure compliance with UK short breaks legislation and improve sufficiency, efficiency and financial oversight of short breaks in Medway: Co-produce a short break services statement Review and update the Local Offer website and signposting Invest in community training and improve communication with parents and carers Review short breaks eligibility and inclusion criteria Invest in data intelligence Develop more commissioned services Address recruitment and retention challenges.

Reasons:

The number of Children and Families who require short breaks is increasing significantly. A Strategy is necessary to ensure the ongoing sufficiency and financial oversight of short breaks provision in Medway.