Issue - meetings

Helen Jenner, Corporate Director of Children’s’ Services, presented the report in conjunction with the Autism Strategy on the agenda.  The Inclusive Framework Strategy was an overarching three year strategy, which would eventually have a set of condition specific strategies.  The Autism Strategy was the first condition specific strategy.  The full details were set out in the reports.

Helen explained that the Borough did not have sufficient specialist provision or buildings to meet children’s needs within mainstream schools and this had resulted in children having to be educated out of mainstream school or even out of the Borough.  As a result a capital programme had been introduced so that wherever possible existing school buildings were fit for purpose and new premises had also been commissioned south of the A13.  Temporary provision would be provided at Riverside Bridge from September 2015 until the new premises opened in September 2017.

Services were being constantly refreshed and developed to ensure they met the needs of children, parents / carers, and young adults.  The three main objectives needed to be accomplished in a way that was affordable and provided value for money, whilst also understanding and recognising the unprecedented increase in child population and the corresponding increase in the demand for wider health and social care services. 

Whilst SEND provision could continue for 18 to 24 year olds, under the Care Act legislation they were considered as adults.  As a result each individual’s budget would be transferred from the parents to the young adult when they turned 18. 

Helen Jenner advised that the document needed to be Crystal Marked but this would be undertaken after comments had been received and requested that all comments were passed to her by next week.

Cllr Carpenter suggested that it may be worth revisiting the Adult Autism Strategy.  The Chair said that it may be possible for the Sub Group(s) to review this document alongside the Adult Autism Strategy to ensure synergy between both strategies.

Having received the draft strategy document and discussed its contents,

The Board:

(i)  Noted that final comments should be provided to Helen Jenner, Corporate Director of Children’s Services, by next week and authorised Helen Jenner to make the necessary amendments and changes to the document;

(ii)  Subject to (i) above, agreed the contents of the strategy document and its publication.