Agenda item

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 final year review.  This offers the young person the chance to get to know the PA and for the family and the young person to become familiar with the support services provided by Connexions.

11.5         Connexions are involved in the 14 plus panel where the young

person’s needs are discussed and identified.  During discussions it was acknowledged that there was a need for structured referrals from Haringey Community and Strategic Housing Services in terms of the way in which referrals were made to Connexions. The review panel was pleased to learn that Haringey Strategic and Community Housing Services will shortly be participating on the 14 plus panel. 

11.6         Connexions representatives informed the Panel that Connexions is

sometimes the first port of call for some young people, who contact them out of normal working hours, for urgent support.  A gap in communication and information sharing was identified as Connexions need to be able to readily identify the young person. There were also concerns about the needs of clients who do not meet the threshold for adult services but who nevertheless have significant needs.

11.7         Connexions are involved in the 14 plus panel where the young

person’s needs are discussed and identified; the panel was pleased to learn that Haringey Strategic and Community Housing Services will shortly be participating on the panel.  

11.8         Concerns were expressed about the following:

• Connexions work with young people to help them to become efficient adults and where necessary find alternative provisions to help them. However there were concerns about young people who do not meet the eligibility threshold but have significant needs.
• Connexions are involved with after hour’s provision with housing and CAMHS and it was important for connexions to know exactly who these clients are.
• Consideration needs to be given to undiagnosed 16+ connexions looking into this.
• A lot of good work needs joining up - Communications and sharing of information – line of communication.
• Assessment overlap up to 20% - too many assessment points need to be in one place – costs around duplication.
• It was important to ensure that all agencies work from the same databases in terms of assessment – Common Assessment Framework would be good
• Need to widen the remit of 14+ panels. Panel pleased to learn that connexions were looking at younger co-hort.
• Adolescence outreach team and the Youth Offending Team should be included in the list of agencies identified in My Service at 18 list.
• Need for more staff only 2 fulltime LDD.  PAs in all schools 50 staff altogether
• Identified that more support needed for the 16 and 17 year olds – 16+ panel being set up.
• Customer care charter – all departments should be made to adhere to minimum response standards.

11.9    There was a need for structured referrals from Haringey Strategic and Community Housing Services.