Issue - meetings

Tim Aldridge 14:00

Covering report and presentation attached.

It was noted that this work was covered by the Children and Families Act 2014 and incorporated a move from Statements to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The aim was to have children’s needs met within school settings where possible. The inspection concentrated on joint commissioning of these services and how children, parents and carers were involved in this.

A single inspection in autumn 2016 had given positive feedback on services for disabled children. Education provision had improved and a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment deep dive for SEND had been completed. The Local Offer would be relaunched in summer 2017. The SEND 2 survey had been completed and additional resources had been put in place to convert Statements to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Outcomes of the self-evaluation process included plans to have quicker decision making for children with EHCPs and moving to having a single child record in one place. The short breaks service was currently out to tender and a High Needs review would commence in mid-2017. Options for joint working with Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge were also being explored.

Of seventeen OFSTED or CQC inspections to date, there had been four formal statements of action given. Recurring themes included parents and carers not being sufficiently involved and a need for better timeliness in the agreeing of EHCPs. Other issues identified included long waits for treatment such as speech and language therapy, audiology, paediatrics and occupational therapy. The use of personal budgets was also limited.

Risks identified included demand management with more children in Havering having more complex needs than previously. Limited use of personal budgets was also an identified risk as were waiting times for some therapies and services around the transition into adulthood. A programme of improvements had been agreed and an action plan put in place, overseen by an Executive Board including representatives of parents and schools. Regular updates on progress would be provided to the Board.

The Board NOTED the update and the areas for action over the coming months.