Issue - meetings

11.1    The Connexions Service was established in 2001 in order to provide a comprehensive service to meet young people’s need for information, advice and support. Following the publication of Every Child Matters, Next steps, children’s trusts were set up in each local authority area. From 1^st April 2008 funding which had been directly provided to each Connexions Partnerships went directly to all local authorities through the new Area Based Grant with local authorities now having responsibility for delivery. The panel met with the Partnership Team Leader in the Connexions Targeted Service and the Network Areas Team Leader in the Connexions Universal Service and lead for work with young people with Learning Difficulties and Disability in Haringey.

11.2    The Panel was informed that Local authorities must provide all 13-19 year olds and those up to 25 with a learning difficulty or disability with reasonable face to face access to a Personal Advisor, to provide information, advice, guidance and advocacy to targeted support services. Haringey Connexions Service work to Section 139A[1] Assessment in Haringey the person’s Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) is responsible for ensuring that the assessment is carried out.  The PA works closely with the young person, the parent and/or carers, the current school, Pupil Referral Units, college or work based learning provider, and other professionals involved in supporting the young person, to ensure the assessment of their education and training needs.  The transition from school to a new learning establishment can be a difficult time for any person.  Those with learning difficulties are at risk of not making a successful transition.  As a result young people with learning difficulties are less likely to participate in education, or training post 16 as those without LD, and are twice as likely to be NEET (not in education, training or employment).

11.3         A Section 139A Assessment is an assessment of a young person with

a learning difficulty that results in a written report of their education and training needs and the provision required to meet those needs. In Haringey the person’s Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) is responsible for ensuring that the assessment is carried out.  It is essential that the PA works closely with the young person, the parent and/or carers, the current school, Pupil Referral Units, college or work based learning provider, and other professionals involved in supporting the young person, to ensure the assessment of their education and training needs.  The transition from school to a new learning establishment can be a difficult time for any person.  Those with learning difficulties are at risk of not making a successful transition.  As a result young people with learning difficulties are less likely to participate in education, or training post 16 as those without LD and are twice as likely to be NEET (not in education, training or employment.  – who they work with.

11.4         The Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) has to be invited to the 14

panel meeting and subsequent reviews and must attend both the transition review and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10