Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence received from Councillor Jones

To consider and finalise the terms of reference for the review.

3.0       Terms of reference

Background

3.1       The panel considered the background and terms of reference for the review. Transition from Children’s to Adult Services has become an important issue in recent years. The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services highlighted the importance of ensuring safe and effective transition throughout children’s services but also dedicates a standard to growing up into adulthood.  Government policy emphasises that this is not solely a matter for healthcare professionals, since long-term conditions also have important educational, social and financial implications.

3.2       Successful transition planning and programmes are crucially dependent on collaboration between children's and adult services. Well planned transition improves clinical, educational and social outcomes for young people. Transition should be viewed as a process and not as a single event.

3.3       Implementing improved transition involves: recognition of the importance of the process; adequate consultation with professionals and users; flexibility in the timing of transition; a period of preparation for the young person and family; information transfer; monitoring of attendance until the young person is established in the appropriate adult oriented service.

3.4       Young people with complex disability present particular problems because often there is no equivalent adult service able or willing to take on their long-term health care and medical supervision. The need to develop a holistic approach for these young people is emphasized.

3.5       Recommendations and suggestions for action will be presented in the report which might have implications for a wide range of individuals and professional organisations.  It is intended that when this review is completed consideration should be given to undertaking a further review, looking at what is done to help young people, without disabilities move into independent living i.e., Housing, education, finding work etc.

3.6       Terms of reference

The following terms of reference were considered~

• How children with special needs, disabilities and mental health issues are transferred from services delivered by children's services to adult services. This will cover planning, consultation and the handover of responsibility.

• What is done for those children who do not meet the eligibility for adult services but who need some kind of lower-level support?

• To consider how the implementation of the National Guidance on transition support programme is ensured in Haringey.

3.7        Membership of the Panel

            Councillor Martin Newton – Chair

            Councillor Charles Adje

            Councillor Rachel Allison

            Councillor Emma Jones

To consider the work plan and timescale for the review.

            Work Programme

4.1        The following work programme for the review was agreed:

Meeting 1 –Receive report from Directors of Children Services and Adult, Culture and Community Services setting out:

• The transition process from initial planning to the move to adult services including initial planning, re-assessment, consultation with the young person and their carers and the actual transition.

• The monitoring process, any problems that occur and how they are resolved
• The numbers transferred both in the past and predicted in the next few years.
• How the transition is financed, i.e. the budget, how it is spent, does it follow the child, and, is the financial provision sufficient?
• Are any budgets pooled and if so which agencies are involved, what are the financial controls and have the desired efficiencies been achieved as a result.
• Is there any scope for further pooling of budgets
• How do the  Children’s Trust and Wellbeing Board  manage overall process and what action do they take to ensure continual improvement
• Benchmarking with similar local authorities.

4.2        The Panel will discuss the transition arrangements with council and its partners and  determine whether there are any issues on which they require further information, how efficient the service is, whether it meets assessed needs, its cost effectiveness and capacity for continual improvement.

4.3        Meeting 2  (14^th January 2010) –To follow up on any action required from previous meeting, meet young people being transferred and adults recently transferred to obtain their views about process. If appropriate also invite other local authorities to talk about their process.

4.4        Meeting 3 (28 January 2010)                Finalise report.

Councillor Newton – Chair