Issue - meetings

The committee had previously  discussed the possibility of auditing referrals to the Safeguarding service of children with additional needs especially those who fall below the threshold for services from the team for disabled children. Members will be asked to agree the scope  of this  audit and consider  information about other audits  concerning disabled children which will be taking place in the next few months.

The committee had previously discussed the possibility of auditing referrals to the Safeguarding service of children with additional needs. They were particularly concerned about those who fell below the threshold for obtaining services from the disabled children’s team. The Independent Member of the committee had since met with the Head Services to Children & Young People with the Additional Needs & Disabilities to discuss the scope for a potential audit in this area. From this discussion the Independent member had learnt that there were three forthcoming audits concerning disabled children. These were:

• A learning audit focused on a specific child and the services received by the child and family. A report on these findings was due to be considered by the LSCB and its appropriate sub group in May 2012.

• Examining all cases of Domestic Violence referred to First Response where the family includes a child known to the Disabled Children’s Team.

• A joint audit was to take place between the Additional Needs & Disabilities team and the health therapy service, of all children where Domestic Violence is thought to be a feature in the household, and where one of the children in the household is thought to have additional needs which do not meet the Disabled Children’s Team thresholds.

It was proposed to the committee that they consider the findings of these three audits at their meeting in September. The committee could then decide whether the findings raise particular concerns which need to be explored further in an independent audit or whether they can make recommendations as a committee for changes in practice and policy.

RESOLVED

That the findings of the audits outlined above be considered at the committee meeting in September 2012.