Improving Services for Disabled Children & Young People in Wiltshire

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Transitions : ‘Multi-Agency Protocol’

 

Summary of the Focus Session

Town Hall, Devizes on Monday 30th March, 2009

 

 

The planning of a multi agency protocol to cover transition to adulthood for young people requiring

additional support starting from Yr 9, up to the age of 19yrs (and 25yrs where necessary)

KEY ISSUES

  • Lack of information.
  • Which team from adult services should be involved?
  • Someone should oversee the process and be point of contact (‘Keyworker’)
  • Eligibility criteria needs to be clearer
  • Relevant people should attend the reviews
  • Scanty service provision for ASD when not with LD
  • Plan to review the role of the Transition Panels
  • Transferral to Adult services difficult as may be different level of support available, different jargon and understanding of their role and responsibilities towards users
  • Failure to listen to what people want.
  • More input from parents as they will have knowledge of young person's interests for example, which is not obvious at school

 

These issues are widespread and Government has set up a National Transition Support Programme, an expected minimum standard will have to be reached. 

 

A website has been set up to provide support to professionals to allow them to share good practice.

 

Wiltshire has a Transition Partnership Board, consisting of :

  • Heads of Children & Young People’s Services, Education, Adult Services
  • Connexions
  • LSC
  • Health
  • Local colleges (Foundation Services)
  • Voluntary Sector
  • Job Centre
  • Parents – with the aim to get more on board with a regular turnover.

 

Young people identified by Connexions database covering Statemented, School Action and School Action+, also care leavers, young people affected by mental health problems and substance abuse, so reaching anyone who is unlikely to reach economic independence ( the 5 outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda),  without additional support.  Schools will be able to identify other young people who need additional support.

 

The aim is to achieve a collaborative and holistic approach, which looks at other needs as well as education, such as social, housing, leisure etc. 

PRINCIPLES

  • The transition process is for the benefit of the young person
  • The young person and parents are recognised as partners in the process
  • Integrated information service – packs and events
  • Commitment to seek creative solutions which overcome differences in ways of working to the benefit of young people
  • The young person is at the centre of planning their lives and their opinions listened to

 

CHANGES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THIS

  • Professionals must give priority to attending reviews
  • Process should be coordinated by one lead professional (‘Key Worker’), not piecemeal
  • Young person/parents can choose their key worker
  • Other agencies (housing, transport, leisure) need to be involved.
  • Implement a more person centred approach to reviews and the transition process
  • A young person can be helped by advocates and teaching staff  to prepare for the reviews as required. 

 

A suggestion of making Flipcharts available at the review was well received to enable the young person/parents to highlight what is and what is not working for them, and to list  their priorities.  These notes will form the agenda of the review so the young person has more control of what will be discussed.

 

One parent pointed out that school can have a clearer picture of a young person’s strengths.  For instance, if a young person tends to behave better at school than at home, then school needs to be able to give input to the discussion.

 

We need to ensure that a young person in Out of County Education gets support from Wiltshire.  A parent requested that a Wiltshire Connexions advisor to attend Yr 9 reviews, an information pack, and that if necessary, a Wilts Advisor could consult with a young person during holidays.

 

There will be a Disabled Young People forum established.