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Targets

Aiming High for Disabled Children provides a framework for agreeing priorities and setting targets.  The Children with Disabilities Management Partnership provides the multi-agency strategic management.

Outcome Improvement Targets in Newcastle Plan for Children and Young People:

Targets are linked directly to Aiming High Core Offer:

• The provision of timely information for parents and carers regarding services available for those with learning disabilities and difficulties.
• Agree system for sharing data regarding the population with learning disabilities and difficulties to inform service planning.
• Engage localities in the service planning for children and young people with learning disabilities and difficulties.
• Ensure more young people experience smooth transitions to Adult Services including improved vocational opportunities.
• The establishment of a Multi Agency Transition Steering Group is now well established and holds an annual event to agree priorities and establish an achievable work plan.
• To increase the number of work experiences offered to young people and a relationship has been established with NTW hospital trust to support work experience across the public sector.
• The roll out of the Person Centred Planning has also been identified as a high priority.

Local Targets in the North of Tyne Strategic Plan specifically relating to people with learning disabilities (all ages):

Goal 21: To improve the health outcomes and support the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities by increasing the number of people with a learning disability having a physical healthcare check and Health Action Plan.

Performance

Direct payments for disabled children were introduced in the Carers and Disabled Children Act (2000).  hildren's Services, through an assessment of need in 2003, offered this method of arranging support for disabled children and their families.

Direct payments for disabled children were introduced in the Carers and Disabled Children Act (2000).  Children's Services, through an assessment of need in 2003, offered this method of arranging support for disabled children and their families.

• There has been a gradual increase of the use of the Direct Payment Scheme over the past 5 years, with a significant increase over 2007 - 2008 with a current total (Sept 2010) of 113 families within which 21 have an individual budget. Direct payments are used to commission a range of short break provision involving childminding, nursery, day care, domiciliary support, sitting service, play schemes and overnight stays.
• There has been a significant increased use of Direct Payments by the B.M.E. families who were traditionally "the hard to reach" families to engage in services. Again this allows greater use of family and kin who will provide care that is individual and culturally sensitive to their needs.

• Newcastle Local Authority is part of the Learning for Living and work pilot.
• There has also been considerable process in developing self directed support and individual budgets with 21 families using Individual budgets in 2010/2011. Families self report improved outcomes in greater flexibility, choice and control. This flexibility has allowed families to focus on securing tailor made services to suit the need of the child.
• The raised participation age pilot is discussing improving employability with 8 young people to follow their journey past age 18 to understand how to improve employability for every disabled child.
• There has been an Increase in the provision of therapy services into special schools. (Annual Performance Assessment. (APA) 2008).
• There has been an Increase in the number of places for 16+ year olds with LDD by 40 to improve vocational options. (APA 2008)
• An ASD pathway, designed with parents and carers, has been produced to guide parents through services and is available through the Family Information Service. (APA 2008)
• The number of children with LDD receiving support into play groups, nurseries and play schemes in 2006 was 34 with a further 25 in 2007. By April 2008 7 more children have received support. (APA 2008)
• The Children with Disabilities and Special Needs Management Partnership is ensuring a cross agency strategy for LDD children is being delivered. (APA 2008)
• The Transition Steering Group ensures improved performance in relation to transition and Newcastle has been rated in the top 20 local authorities for this work.

Local Views:

• The opportunities for those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to be involved in consultation have been expanded and are increasingly embedded in day to day practice.
• Six organisations focused on children and young people with LDD have achieved investing in children, including 4 out of 5 special schools and the Pupil Referral Unit.
• All children and young people with LDD give their views and these are considered to inform key decisions about their future during the statutory assessment process.
• Annual reviews ensure that views are listened to and taken into account when making decisions about future targets and provision.
• Parent/Carers are involved in consultation and service planning through the Annual Parent/Carer Conference, Disabled Children's Register and SEND Strategy and Early Years Consultation.
• A SEND Parent Reference Group helps the Local Authority monitor the SEND Action Plan and this is chaired by a parent.
• The CWDSMNP links with the Parents Reference Group and joint training is seen as a priority.