Conference Report 2015 - Stockton United For Change.

Stockton United for Change
8th Conference
Wednesday 11 March 2015
The Swan Hotel, Billingham
Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3
Stockton United for Change (SUFC) ................................................................................... 4
Short Breaks ...................................................................................................................... 6
Short Break Status in Stockton ....................................................................................... 7
The Short breaks Grant .................................................................................................. 8
Post It Note Questions and Answers ............................................................................. 11
Sanctuary — Parent/Carer Respite Funding Grant ........................................................... 15
Parent/Carers - Our Experiences .................................................................................. 18
An Introduction to the Care Act ......................................................................................... 20
Kicking Down Barriers ...................................................................................................... 26
“Taking Stock in Stockton” ................................................................................................ 27
SUFC News Flash ............................................................................................................ 34
Further Questions Raised ................................................................................................. 34
Closing Remarks and Evaluation Forms ........................................................................... 35
Appendix One – Summary of Evaluation Form Comments ............................................... 36
2
Introduction
Carole Wilson, parent member of Stockton United For Change, welcomed everyone to the
8th parent carer conference; new parents who were attending their first event; regular
attendees who have come along to lots of events and all the professionals and speakers
who have given their time to come and contribute to the day.
One of the key messages of the conference was to stress the importance of gathering
parent feedback and views to bring about change.
FEEDBACK/VIEWS = EVIDENCE = INFLUENCE
Those in attendance were therefore encouraged throughout the day to add post it notes
with any comments, views, questions or suggestions to flip chart papers that were made
available on walls at the conference. All information from these is included within the
relevant sections within this report.
Conference Attendees
115 people attended the conference, made up of the following:
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77 Stockton parent/carers
5 out of area parent/carers (from other local parent/carer forums, invited via the
cluster forum meeting)
33 service providers/professionals/invited guests.
Other statistics
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8 new parent/carers joined the Stockton United for Change database (the remaining
parent/carers had already joined - some of which were at the time of booking)
3 new professionals joined the SUFC 'Working together Database' (the others had
previously joined)
1 new parent contacted SUFC after the event with an interest in becoming an SUFC
ambassador.
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Stockton United for Change (SUFC)
Who are Stockton United For Change?
All members of the steering group are volunteers with a passion - parent/carers who have
joined together with one aim; to improve services for their children/young people with
complex/additional needs.
SUFC are funded by a grant given by the Department for Education to every Local
Authority forum to develop parent participation and engagement in their local areas.
Stockton United For Change are the recognised parent/carer participation forum,
they strive:
• to make change to ensure that families are involved in the decision making
• to improve existing services and develop new services by working in partnership
• to inform so that providers offer higher quality short break activities more frequently
• to improve the quality and availability of information to families
• to empower parent/carers with knowledge to make informed choices
Four essential ingredients for success
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Relevant -- Information
Honest -- Consultation
Effective -- Participation
Acknowledgement -- Co-production
How to contact SUFC?
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Come to one of the weekly term times Drop Ins held at The Five Lamps Resource
Centre, 32, Dovecot Street, Stockton, TS18 1LN
Mobile Number - 07935447375
Email - [email protected]
Facebook page is Sufc Stockton
Website - www.stocktonunitedforchange.co.uk
Join the SUFC database – all members then receive information in the post
How can Professionals Participate?
Through attending SUFC’s service providers’ forums held at the Five Lamps Resource
Centre. These are held every couple of months on a Friday from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
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How can Parent/Carers Participate? Term Time Only
By attending any of the following:
 Monthly Parent/Carer Forum Network meetings
 Bi-monthly SUFC2 Adult Group meetings for those whose children are aged 16+
 Evening meetings of the above (to help those who work or who can’t attend daytime
meetings)
 Conferences and information days
Consultations
Stockton Parent/Carers have contributed towards consultations locally, regionally and
nationally. You have your voices heard AT EVERY LEVEL.
An example of positive change that consultation can result in is the recently opened
Specialist Changing Facility for Stockton. This has been developed as a direct result of
consultation by SUFC with local parent/carers. Stockton Borough Council asked SUFC
how to spend some capital money they had available for children with disabilities and their
families. Through consultation, families identified this huge need and as a result, a
working group was established. This group shared their knowledge, experiences,
expertise and requests with the architect, occupational therapist etc. and had a significant
influence on the planning, equipment, layout and materials.
Why does SUFC need you?
Individual parent/carers are needed in all “layers of the cake” as steering group members,
ambassadors, representatives, database members and the unreached community. All
these layers come together to participate change and help make improvements for families
with children with disabilities and additional needs in Stockton.
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So which colour are you and where does everyone fit in?
This diagram illustrates how everyone within the different coloured categories contributes
to the work of Stockton United For Change.
Parent/carers were therefore encouraged to become more involved in whatever level they
can to help make a difference – something everyone is doing by being here at the
conference today.
Short Breaks
Jane Harvey, Early Years and Complex Needs Manager Stockton Borough Council
The aim of Jane’s presentation was to give parent/carers information about the status of
Short Breaks in Stockton; developments and plans for the short term and the next steps
moving forward.
Parent/carers were encouraged to add any questions or comments about Short Breaks to
the post-it note comment walls rather than ask questions during the presentation.
Answers to these questions can be found at the end of this section of the report.
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Background
All Local Authorities have a legal duty to provide Short Breaks, as outlined in The Breaks
for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011 – ‘the short breaks regulations’
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/short-breaks-for-carers-of-disabled-children
Requirements on Local Authorities outlined in these regulations:
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To ensure that, when making short break provision, they have regard to different
types of carers
To provide a range of breaks as appropriate, during the day, night, at weekends
and during the school holidays
To provide parents with a short breaks service statement
Hot off the press at the conference, copies of Stockton’s updated Short Breaks Service
Statement were distributed to attendees. Copies can be downloaded and viewed from the
website at:
http://www.stockton.gov.uk/documents/cyp/childrenwithdisabilities/shortbreakservicest.pdf
So what is a short break?
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A good quality, fun, positive activity
Helps young people to develop communication, social skills, confidence and to
access services
May last anything from a few hours to several days
Length/type of break depends on child/young person and family
In the child’s home, supported setting or within the community
Provides families with a break from caring role
Short Break Status in Stockton
What does Stockton provide?
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Commissioned short breaks (contracts)
Short break grant/One to one support grant
Short breaks determined by assessed need
OASIS playscheme
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Commissioned Short Breaks
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ASD playschemes 3-7 years, 8-12 years
ASD cookery/healthy eating 11-17 years
ASD out of school activity 5-12 years
Weekend club 3-7 years, 8-12 years, 13-17 years
Out of school activity 5-12 years, 13-17 years
Water skills
Playscheme 3-7 years, 8-12 years, 13- 17 years
All of these will be continued until the end of September 2015. 147 children have accessed
these short breaks between April–December 2014. A total of 2238 places have been
provided.
Jane advised that it had just been confirmed that the budget for short breaks in Stockton
for 2015/16 would be set at the same spend as the budget that there has been for
2014/15.
The Short breaks Grant
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Short breaks grant – access to funding without an assessment
Two amounts available – one for those with assessed needs/one for those without
Available 2014-15 and extended to the end of September 2015
For 6 months – max £400 for those without assessed needs, £100 for those with
assessed needs (this is half of the yearly amount for the six month period until
September 2015)
Easier application to continue grant for same purpose
New application required for new purpose
Grant forms are available from the Stockton United for Change website
http://www.stocktonunitedforchange.co.uk/latestNews_56_201370144.pdf
What has the grant been used for?
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Riding lessons
Out of school activities/clubs
Swimming lessons
Soft play
Support worker
Ice skating
Archery
Dance/drama lessons
Karting
Trampolining
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116 grants were agreed from April to December 2014.
The grant cannot be used for:
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Activities or short breaks during term time when the child should be in school or
college
Commissioned services or services of the same type except in exceptional
circumstances
Costs applying to families regardless of whether a child has a disability or not e.g.
transport/petrol to and from activities, equipment, spending money, costs for the
rest of the family, child care.
One to one Support Grant
 Available for those without assessed needs
 For 1-1 support to access group activities/clubs open to all
 Max £100 available until the end of September 2015
NB This will not pay for support at an activity specifically for disabled children. The aim of
this one to one support group is to enable children and young people to access
mainstream, universal clubs and activities such as brownies, scouts, guides etc.
Assessed Needs
Background:
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Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 includes the duty to support a child in need as
follows:
 The child is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or
maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision
of services by a local authority
 The child’s health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further
impaired, without the provision for him of such services
 The child is disabled
So what does this mean?
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Children with disabilities are entitled to an assessment of need by social care
A referral can be made by the parent or a professional working with the child – to
First Contact
An assessment may be carried out by a mainstream social work team or a more
specialist team
An assessment may or may not result in services provided from social care
If short break services are provided they will be determined by the assessment of
need
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Families have a legal right to an assessment but not to Short Breaks unless these are
assessed as a need. An assessment may determine that a child/young person’s needs
can be met through the main short breaks offer e.g. universal services, short breaks
grant/one to one support grant, commissioned short breaks.
The Complex Needs Social Work Team
This team provides services for children and young people with:
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Severe learning disabilities
Multiple or severe disability
A life limiting illness
Complex physical disability
Assessed Need Short Breaks
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Hartburn Lodge – overnight short breaks
OASIS – after school and day care
Direct payments
Home care
Next Steps
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Contracts and short break grants extended
Analysis of data and information about short breaks
Consultation with parents/carers
Plans for short breaks after September 2015
Now is the time to take stock and ensure that the Short Break provision in Stockton still
meets the needs of local families, children and young people. Stockton-On-Tees Borough
Council will work closely with Stockton United for Change to ensure consultation and
reviews of short break services are completed with the full participation and engagement
of local parent/carers.
Any information the council get; Stockton United for Change get and subsequently share
and distribute with local parent/carers to ensure there is transparency with regards to
process.
More information about Short Breaks is available from:
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Stockton-On-Tees Local Offer
Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council website
Short breaks statement
Stockton United for Change
Family Information Service
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Text service
Short breaks providers
OASIS
Disability Register
Parent/carers were encouraged to sign up the voluntary register which is held by Stockton
Borough Council as statistics from this register help the council to plan for the services that
are needed (based on ages and conditions of the children and young people registered).
The register is also an effective way for the council to communicate with local families as
regular information such as newsletters is distributed to everyone who is signed up.
Post It Note Questions and Answers
Q - My daughter attended SEN swimming lessons with Jack in the Box. I was told Short
Breaks couldn’t fund them as they fund another service. We couldn’t attend this because
it was fully booked up so this didn’t work for us. Is there any way that Short Breaks can
fund one to one swimming lessons? My daughter needs an adult in the pool with her
Which swimming lessons are allowed as I have been turned down for one to one
swimming lessons before?
A - Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council currently commissions a water skills activity.
However if this is full or if a different type of swimming activity is needed then this will be
considered for the short breaks grant. Each application would be considered based on the
information provided. In some cases one to one swimming lessons have been agreed.
Q - In September when the six months is up, what will take its place and how will we be
informed?
A - The Council will be carrying out a consultation with parents/carers about short breaks
to help plan what will be in place from September. Information about take up of the Short
Breaks Grant and One to One Support Grant, the commissioned short breaks and
information from the Disability Register will also help with planning. However the Council
intends to move to a more personalised approach to short breaks in the longer term, with
greater use of the short breaks grant. Parents/carers will be informed in the usual ways,
through SUFC, the Local offer, Text service, information packs for example.
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Q - What is meant by “complex”? For example complex physical needs?
A - Children with complex needs generally have a number of discrete needs - relating to
their health, education, welfare, development, home environment and so on - that require
additional support from more than one agency.
Such children and young people generally have;
1. A spectrum of need which has been sustained for at least 6 months (and is likely to
be ongoing).
2. Needs falling at the severe/profound end of a spectrum of intensity;
3. Needs falling across at least two of the areas below;
• Acute and chronic medical difficulties,
• Multiple and profound physical and/or sensory impairments,
• Behaviour problems which are often challenging,
• Significant Learning and or Language difficulties,
• Parenting and Social Needs.
4. Intensive ongoing involvement of at least two agencies, usually drawn from;
• Therapy services
• Specialist Educational Services
• Nursing and Medical Services
• Social Care Services (core teams or specialist personnel)
• Mental Health Services
In terms of complex physical needs, these would mean long term and severe needs which
needed the involvement of service such as therapy services and possibly medical
services.
Q - How does the one to one support for a child to go to cubs work? £100 is not going to
cover the cost for 6 months
A - The grant can be used to pay for one to one support for a child to attend an activity
open to all children and young people. More information about how to access this can be
found in the Short Breaks Offer information. The short breaks grant can also be used for a
support worker if parents wished to apply for this. Costs for the support would need to be
agreed with the person providing it.
Q - Can we have a session where we can ask questions at the time with Jane Harvey?
A - A session can be arranged with the most appropriate Local Authority Officer at a future
date.
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Q - Why is there such an issue with an after school club within a school? It is classed as
childcare provision; as far as my child is concerned, it is an opportunity to socialise with his
classmates
A - The short breaks grant cannot be used for costs that would apply to all families
regardless of whether the child has a disability or not. This includes child care. After school
clubs are generally considered to be child care. Commissioned services also include these
clubs.
Q - Can there be more specific ASD groups with staff trained in Autism.
Why are so many services in Stockton geared towards Autism? This provision denies
access for non-autistic children
A - The Local Authority acknowledges that children and young people have different needs
and, working in partnership with Stockton United for Change, has developed the current
short breaks offer. The information available on the take up of short breaks and from the
disability register and from parents/carer has shaped what is provided. There are both
autism specific services and services available for a wider range of needs. In addition the
short breaks grant can be used very flexibly.
These comments will be taken into account as further planning is carried out, but the Local
Authority would encourage parents/carers to respond to the planned consultation and also
ensure that they register on the Disability register to help planning for the future.
Q - If I apply for a short break grant in May or June will I still be allowed the full £400 or will
it be pro-rata?
A - The amount provided is given pro rata depending on the request up to a maximum of
£400.
Q - Jane said money for 2015/16 is matched to last year’s amount but later said there is
only 6 months mentioned. Can you clarify whether it is £400 (to September) or £800 (to
April) please? Also, what happens if more people apply this year (will be more from
amount there so over budget?)
A - The overall short breaks budget for 2015-2016 has been set at the same spend as for
2014-2015. The short breaks grant currently is £400 to the end of September. The short
breaks grant has always had a set budget and should this be reached it would not be
possible to issue more grants.
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Q - Can you clarify the amount given for those with assessed needs; is it £400 or £100?
Does the child need to be assessed if they have a statement?
A - The amount of short breaks grant is £100 for those with assessed needs. This means
needs assessed by social care. Parents of a child or young person with a statement or
Education Health and Care plan can apply directly for the grant; a social care assessment
is not required.
Q - Where do you get an application form? Can it be used for Daisy Chain activity days?
A - Application forms are available from Stockton United for Change, from Hartburn Lodge
(01642 524363) and from the Family Information Service 01642 527225 or email
[email protected]. The form can also be downloaded from the Stockton-On-Tees
Borough Council website https://www.stockton.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/childrenwith-special-educational-needs-local-offer/short-breaks-services/
Each application is looked at individually, however applications are generally not agreed
for activities which are for the family.
Q - Is the scouting association in Stockton aware that a child with SEN can be provided
with a grant to supply a mentor? After several consultations with the lead of our local
group, our grandson had to leave after being in the group for 5 years plus
A - The Local Authority will consider how the grant is publicised so that the information
reaches a wider range of providers.
Q - Who assesses the short break providers? How often are the service providers
checked to see if they are providing the agreed service?
A - Providers of commissioned services are monitored every six months by Local Authority
Officers to ensure that contracts are being fulfilled. The Local Authority checks attendance
quarterly to monitor take up.
Q - If the agreed service is not fulfilled, who do you need to report to when the provider
does not listen or respond?
A - Information about compliments and complaints for short breaks in included in Stockton
–on-Tees Short Breaks statement which can be found at
https://www.stockton.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/children-with-special-educationalneeds-local-offer/short-breaks-services/ .
If a parent has a compliment, comment or concern about a short break provided as part of
a contract they should contact the provider directly and follow their short break procedures.
If a short break is delivered by Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council directly then the
Council’s commendations and complaints procedures should be followed.
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Q - Great News on the Short Breaks re-no cuts. Does this mean that the short breaks
budget figure for 15-16 will be the same as the budget 14-15 or the actual spend 14-15?
A - The overall short breaks budget for 2015-2016 has been set at the same spend as for
2014-2015.
Q - Recently SUFC shared a FOI for short breaks. Why was there a cut of 20k on Oasis
playscheme? How were we consulted? Who made the decision? This had such a major
impact on me
I only received 1 designated day for Oasis playscheme over the 6 weeks holiday – Why?
Why do Oasis playscheme set the day now, we only get 1, if it clashes with a doctor’s
appointment its tough
Now there is such a reduction in the Oasis playscheme allocation -Please look at the
diagnosis when giving dates out for Oasis playscheme. Why give our asd children the
same day as the asd playscheme with Daisy chain and make us chose. It just makes
things even harder for us.
A - The funding for the OASIS playscheme was set for 2014-2015 at the same spend at
the previous year. The budget matched the spend on the playscheme in previous years.
This was a Local Authority decision.
The number of places offered on the playscheme is determined by a number of factors
including the number of children and young people with assessed need requiring places,
the number of applications overall, support needs of the children and young people and
the availability and suitability of venues.
The Local Authority has listened to parents’ concerns about the playscheme from last
year, including about the clash with other activities and will take these into consideration
as far as possible when allocating places this year. Recruitment is already underway to
ensure staff are in place.
Sanctuary — Parent/Carer Respite Funding Grant
Nigel Parry, Sanctuary Stockton Carers Service
These grants are funded by Stockton Borough Council and administered by Stockton
Carers Service. 85% of carers who have apply for the grant qualified. The eligibility criteria
is as follows:
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You must care for a person who lives in the borough of Stockton
The grant must be used to provide a break from the “environment” of caring
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The grants can be used for:
 Spa days
 Laptops/iPads
 Weekends away – these can include a break away with the cared for person
 Theatre/cinema/concert tickets
 Fishing
 Gym memberships
 Online courses
 Educational fees
Grants cannot be used for:
 Utility Bills
 Shopping
 Clothes
 Transport
 Anything that is provided by a statutory (Health or Social Care) service
The form to complete to apply for a grant is very simple and requires little information but
evidence must be included. This evidence has to show proof of ID, information about the
cared for person (e.g. diagnosis letter from doctor). The grant is not means tested and the
cared for person does not have to be in receipt of benefits.
Applicants would also need to provide details of the cost of the place or equipment that
they were applying for (e.g. an invoice or website information from a hotel for a spa day,
details from a retail outlet about the cost of a laptop).
There is a limited budget so parent/carers in attendance at the conference were
encouraged to apply as soon as possible – if all the money allocated for these grants is
spent, then it is more likely that there will be the same amount available for 2015/16.
Please note carers can only receive ONE grant in a 12 month period.
Once a grant is agreed, Sanctuary writes out a cheque to the provider for the relevant
amount and this is how the money is administered.
Application forms are available from Sanctuary or can be downloaded from the Stockton
United for Change website
http://www.stocktonunitedforchange.co.uk/latestNews_139_27749534.pdf
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Sanctuary News
Sanctuary Carers Service will soon be moving to new premises at Stratford House, 11-12
Ramsgate, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1BS.
A launch event will be held and will be advertised through Stockton United for Change.
Post It Note Questions and Answers
Q - If you use OASIS but not the short break grant can you still get the Sanctuary grant?
A – No, this would still be seen as a break from the caring role.
Q - Short Breaks and Sanctuary Grants – can you clarify that you cannot get both; short
break grant for your child and carers grant for yourself?
A - Providing the Carer has not had a respite fund break in the last 12 months then yes,
they can apply to the CBF (Carers Break Fund)
Q - Sanctuary – who provides the money for the breaks discussed? Is this out of Stockton
Borough Council’s budgets?
A – Yes
Q - Does the child need to be registered with Sanctuary for the carer to have a short
break?
A - No
Q - Does the money have to be spent in the borough?
A – No
Q - I am registered as a carer; if I want to go for a weekend away with my husband, is this
acceptable as he is in the same environment as me, just not registered?
A - Yes that is absolutely fine
Q - Carers Grant - Can you make more than one application in a year, i.e. if you ask for
theatre tickets that cost £80 can you do one now and one six months later (so you will still
be asking for less than £250 in total)?
A – No, you can only make one application in a 12 month period.
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Q - Someone asked if you could have both the Sanctuary Grant and the Short Breaks
Grant and the answer was No. Please can I ask what the short breaks grant has to do with
the Carers Grant – these are separate to each other? E.g. Sometimes on a short breaks
grant the parent/carer stays with the child – how is this respite? Sometimes a Parent/carer
has more than 1 child with additional needs yet only applies for a short break grant for 1.
Please can the answer to this question be confirmed?
A - One of the eligibility criteria for the Carers Break Fund is that you have not had a grant
for respite within the last 12 months irrespective of who provided the grant. The carers
break fund is for the Carer to have a break from the caring role and/or a break from the
caring environment so essentially the carer can have a break and take the cared for
person with them.
Q - Can you apply every 12 months for carers grant?
A - Yes
Q - What is the age up to for respite funding grant?
A - The Carers break fund is for adult carers over the age of 18 years
Parent/Carers - Our Experiences
To illustrate the benefits of both the Short Breaks Grant and the Parent/Carer Respite
Funding Grant, local parents gave short presentations about their experiences.
Sharon Ellis – Parent/Carer respite funding grant
Along with a friend who was also a parent/carer of a child with additional needs, Sharon
used her grant to fund an overnight stay at Wynyard Hall and had an amazing, relaxing
experience.
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Sharon stressed how easy it had been to apply for the grant (she had used information
from Wynyard Hall’s website to show the costs involved, a Council Tax bill as proof of her
address and a letter from a professional about the cared for person). Sharon received a
grant of £250; £99 was spent on the overnight stay including meals and £151 for spa
treatments and use of the facilities.
Sharon has such a fantastic time, she has earmarked the date in her diary for 12 months’
time when she can apply again so encouraged all parent/carers to get their applications in.
Dianne Williams – Short breaks Grant
Dianne’s son Paul benefited from receiving a short breaks grant based on assessed need.
The £200 the family received paid for £200 worth of hours of service from a service
provider to employ a Personal Assistant to enable Paul to attend activities within the
community that he wouldn’t have been able to access without them. Examples of the
activities include:
Wild Adventures Zoo – Dianne can’t tolerate animals but she knew how much Paul would
enjoy going so he was able to go with a worker who loves animals and who could engage
more with him during the visit.
Milkshake Party at the Theatre – this is something Dianne would not be able to do on her
own as there would be many barriers, for example ice cream at the interval when Paul
would most likely run off and not be prepared to wait. With a worker there, this meant she
could visit the kiosk for ice cream, knowing that Paul was safe and cared for with the
worker without the usual worries.
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Dianne advised that as a member of the Stockton United for Change steering group, they
are always looking for views on the application forms for these grants and making them
more parent-friendly so she encouraged people to not only apply for grants but to give
their comments about how to improve the application procedures. A meeting for
parent/carers is being planned to take this issue forward to.
An Introduction to the Care Act
Alex Peebles, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
The aim of this presentation was to raise awareness and give an overview of the new Care
Act which comes into force in April 2015. What follows is a summary of the main
provisions. It is not intended to provide legal advice about any specific case and if you
think you may have a legal issue or problem and you would like advise you should consult
a solicitor or Citizens Advice Bureau.
The impact of how significant this new act will be for parent/carers will probably not be felt
straight away but the act’s introduction is positive news for families as it will open up more
opportunities with regards to Care.
The Care Act 2014
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New Act accompanied by new regulations and statutory guidance – completely
replaces existing system for adults.
Most comes into force in April 2015. Funding reforms will come into force the
following year
Much of the underlying process in accessing care and support remains the same,
but there are some key new duties and rules which will apply.
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Section 1 - General duty of an LA is to promote the individual’s ‘wellbeing’. Applies
when making any decisions under the Care Act.
Section 2 - LA must provide services or take steps which it considers will contribute
towards preventing, delaying or reducing needs for care and support in its
area. Applies to all – not just those with eligible needs.
Section 3 - Local authorities will be under a duty to ensure the integration of care
and support services with health provision and health-related provision. Duty to
liaise and coordinate services with the local CCGs and NHS bodies.
Section 4 - LAs must establish and maintain an information and advice service
relating to care and support for adults and carers. Applies to all not just those with
eligible needs
Section 5 - LAs must promote the efficient and effective market place for care
services
It is not exactly clear what is meant by the word “wellbeing” but these principles and duties
should have an effect on how Local Authorities carry out assessments of adults. Local
Authorities should consider a person’s goals and measures that can be put in place to
prevent additional care needs arising in the future.
How might this apply in practice?
•
•
At the care assessment stage – consider somebody’s wellbeing and their goals etc.
Care planning – what support is needed to meet somebody’s needs – how does it tie in
with the wellbeing principle.
Can it be used to access better support? For example, if there are two different ways of
meeting the needs. One is more expensive but would fit in better with the person’s
wellbeing – can we rely on the wellbeing principle here to get better support? Case law will
develop this, and it may depend on the extent of the costs difference. But the “wellbeing”
principle and the specific obligations on the part of Local Authorities to consider goals and
the prevention of future needs may make it possible to argue that Local Authorities must
provide more support than before.
How does this fit with the Children and Families Act 2014?
For disabled young people aged 18-25 there will be an impact from both pieces of
legislation. Key themes between both pieces of legislation:
•
•
•
•
•
Outcome focused
Focus on choice and control over support
Focus on the importance of involving the young person and their families – person
centred
Duty to ensure integration between different bodies and organisations
Care Act – wellbeing principle
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Children and Families Act – the s.19 duty to promote the ‘best possible educational or
other outcome’ for the child/young person
Young people or their parents can request a child’s needs assessment at any time prior
to 18th birthday, regardless of whether they have an EHC plan or not.
Care and support in the EHC plan will relate to meeting educational needs via provision
of health, education and social care. The Care Act will relate only to social care
provision
For a young person with an EHC plan, a child’s needs assessment is likely to be based
on review of the care element of the EHC plan
Over the age of 18, the needs assessment carried out under the Care Act should be
incorporated into the EHC plan. It will include those elements of their care and support
directly related to their SEN and also specify other care and support – elements that
are directly related to SEN should be identified in the EHC plan.
For young people who do not have an EHC plan, their existing assessment and care
plan will form the basis of the child’s needs assessment.
Needs Assessment
• Section 9. Threshold is low – “appear” to have needs for care and support
• Social worker or trained assessor to carry out the assessment. Specialist assessors
for blind/deaf people.
• Must be person centred and holistic, and must take into account the views and
wishes of the individual where the person is able to express views and preferences.
It should be a “collaborative process”
• Will need to take range of factors into account such as person’s needs, impact on
wellbeing, the person’s desired outcomes, and impact on the family, any
preventative measures.
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•
Finances irrelevant at this stage
Care and Support (Eligibility Criteria) Regulations 2014
•
•
•
The needs must arise from or be related to a physical or mental impairment or
illness; and
As a result of the needs, the adult must be unable to achieve two or more of the
specified outcomes (although this is essentially defined as “significant difficulty”);
and
As a consequence of the above there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on
the adult’s well-being.
Specified Outcomes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Managing and maintaining nutrition;
Maintaining personal hygiene;
Managing toilet needs;
Being appropriately clothed;
Being able to make use of the adult’s home safely;
Maintaining a habitable home environment;
Developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships;
Accessing and engaging in work, training, education or volunteering;
Making use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including
public transport, and recreational facilities or services; and
Carrying out any caring responsibilities the adult has for a child.
Paying for Care
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Some types of care and support are provided free of charge but often the LA will
charge a cost
Depending on a person’s finances, an LA may ask an individual to contribute
towards the costs of their care (up to the full amount)
Must be left with a minimum level of income
An adult can still ask the LA to arrange care
New entitlements to “deferred payment agreements”
Some services must always be free, such as re-enablement, equipment, or minor
adaptations
Local authorities will carry out a financial assessment
23
Transition - What to do when somebody approaches age of 18
1. Child’s needs assessment – section 58
• Where it appears likely that a child will have needs for care and support after
reaching age of 18
• And where it would be of significant benefit to the child
• And where there is consent (or where the child is not competent or lacks capacity, if
in their best interests)
• Then the local authority must carry out a child’s needs assessment
Transition provisions
• Purpose of the assessment:
– Whether the child has needs for care and support, and what those needs
are; and
– Whether the child is likely to have needs for care and support after meeting
the age of 18, and if so what those needs are.
• Must include:
– Details of how the child’s needs may impact upon wellbeing as defined in
section 1 – Wellbeing Principle
– Outcomes that the child wants to achieve
– Whether, and to what extent, the provision of care and support might
contribute to those outcomes
• Section 59(4) – having carried out a child’s needs assessment, LA must give:
– An indication as to which of the child’s needs are likely to meet the eligibility
criteria after the age of 18; and
– Advice and information about what can be done now in order to meet or
reduce the needs now; and what can be done to delay or prevent further or
more extensive needs developing.
• Once the child turns 18, the LA has the power to consider the assessment as being
a ‘needs assessment’ under the Care Act.
• Alternatively – section 66 confirms that any assessment carried out under s.17 of
the Children Act or EHC Plan should continue to remain in force until the needs
assessment and support plan have been determined
2. Child’s carers needs assessment:
– Similar provisions apply for a child’s carer, before the child has reached the
age of 18.
– Under section 60, assessment should be carried out where of significant
benefit to the carer and it is likely that the child they are caring for will have
needs for care and support after 18
– Need to consider willingness of carer to provide care beyond 18, the
wellbeing principle, whether carer wants to participate in work or education.
– LA has the power to meet the child’s carers’ needs under s.62.
24
3. Young carers needs assessment:
– E.g. child caring for an adult
Carers’ Rights – Carers’ Assessments
•
•
•
•
•
Carers will have the same rights in law to those they care for
Applies mostly to adult carers caring for other adults although new duties to carry
out carers assessments on transition to adult services
New duty to assess carers on appearance of need – s.10
Carers assessments must consider (section 10(4)):
– The carer’s needs and the impact of the caring role
– Things that a carer wants to achieve in their own day to day life
– Whether the carer is willing and able to carry on caring
– Whether they work or want to work, whether they want to study or do more
socially
Where agreed, a combined assessment can be undertaken
Carers’ Rights – Carers’ Eligibility
Carers will be entitled to support if they are assessed as having eligible needs. Eligibility
should consider:
• Carers needs arise as a consequence of providing necessary care for an adult;
• The effect of the carer’s needs is that any of the following circumstances apply:
– The carer’s physical or mental health is, or is at risk of, deteriorating;
– The carer is unable to achieve any of the specified outcomes
– There is likely to be a significant impact on the carer’s wellbeing
Carers’ Rights – Specified Outcomes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Carrying out caring responsibilities the carer has for a child;
Providing care to other persons for whom the carer provides care’
Maintaining a habitable home environment in the carer’s home (whether or not this
is also the home of the adult needing care)
Managing and maintaining nutrition
Developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships;
Engaging in work, training, education or volunteering;
Making use of necessary facilities or services in the local community, including
recreational facilities or services; and
Engaging in recreational facilities.
25
How to challenge decisions
Informal routes, e.g.:
- Speak to social worker
- Complaint/ombudsman
Formal routes, e.g.:
- Judicial review proceedings:
- Unlawful (including human rights challenges)
- Irrational
- Procedurally improper
- Legal aid still available for most community care challenges and judicial
review, where financially eligible
If anyone has any questions with regards to the new Care Act, they can contact Alex at
[email protected]
Post It Note Question and Answers
Q – If a person with special needs has been in hospital, is it the hospital or the carer who
is required to ask for an assessment?
A – No-one should need to ask; the hospital should work with the LA to carry out the
assessment. But the carer can (and probably should) make the request to the hospital and
LA if this is not carried out automatically.
Kicking Down Barriers
Before breaking for lunch, attendees were asked to complete the Kicking Down Barriers
forms that were included in conference packs. Stockton United for Change are keen to
develop and improve and wanted both parent/carers and professionals views and
comments on identifying any barriers they may have to attending meetings, contributing to
consultations or working with the forum.


11 professionals/service providers/guests completed a 'Kicking down Barriers'
questionnaire.
46 Stockton parent/carers completed a 'Kicking down Barriers questionnaire'
Key barriers identified were:
Parent/carers
•
•
Time constraints
Lack of awareness that drop-ins and meetings were taking place
26
•
•
•
Not a barrier but the fact that parents only attend drop-ins these when they have an
issue to discuss – but many parent/carers commented that they were happy with
the knowledge that they could drop in at these sessions anytime if they felt the need
to
Other commitments to other groups
Lack of crèche or childcare at meetings
Professionals
•
•
Time constraints and capacity especially when service providers have regional
remits
Lack of knowledge that the service provider meetings were on
Completed forms will be used to help Stockton United for Change to address any issues or
concerns raised with regards to anything that might be creating a barrier for people to
participate and engage
Many people said that now they were aware of all of these opportunities to be more
involved, they would endeavour to attend as many meetings and sessions and events as
possible.
A number of attendees also took this opportunity to thank Stockton United for Change for
organising so many events and meetings as they appreciate the opportunities already
available to them to gather and share information and find out more about what’s on in
Stockton and what service developments are planned etc.
“Taking Stock in Stockton”
In celebration of the fact that Stockton United for Change works alongside so many
agencies in the area, each service provider was invited to step up and share information
about their service and what was on offer to local families.
There was a strict 3 minute time slot for each to ensure a fast paced, information packed
session following lunch! A summary of all the providers who took part follows:
Stockton’s Local Offer
Provides information to parents and carers of children and young people with special
educational needs or disabilities, aged 0 – 25, to help them to understand what services
and support, they and their families can expect from a range of local agencies within the
local authority and neighbouring area.
27
The Local Offer is a work in development and parent/carers are encouraged to have a look
and give feedback on what they think to help ensure it meets the needs of local families.
www.stockton.gov.uk/localoffer
SNAPS - Special Needs Activities with Parent Support
SNAPS is a parent led voluntary group established since 1999. Becoming a Registered
Charity in 2012 to which they are very proud of.
SNAPS aim is to provide support to families, where there are children and young people 025years with a disability, special or additional needs. They achieve this by organising term
time and holiday activities for the whole family to join in.
All of the children and young people are accompanied by their parents or carers, making
every activity enjoyable and enabling everyone to share quality family time together.
The SNAPS activities include swimming sessions, soft play, games session (chess, cards,
board games etc.), cooking, arts and crafts, climbing wall and a youth club experience with
pool and computers, toddler group, exclusive ice skating experience where wheelchairs,
sledges, access the ice with trainers on, borrow stabilising penguins and use the ice
skates, football skills, bowling and many more. They also offer a wide range of information,
practical and emotional support for parents/carers.
SNAPS do not have regular funding so rely on fundraising and donations; they have no
paid staff so every penny raised benefits families. They also offer a weekly term time
support group for the parents and carers to gather information or just have a coffee, chill
and a chat with others in similar situations.
SNAPS is important to the families where they feel they can go and feel comfortable,
meeting others in similar situations. Many have been part of SNAPS from the beginning
and have helped develop the way SNAPS is today.
Contact Ruth Benson 01642 530292, e mail [email protected]
or visit www.snapsteesvalley.co.uk Registered Charity Number 1148166
CHILD – Children’s Help in Learning Difficulties
CHILD runs exclusive swimming sessions for children with additional needs of all ages at
Thornaby Pool.
Children gain confidence and swimming skills; they receive badges at presentation and
this recognition is popular as it encourages social interaction and helps the children
achieve.
http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/stockton/directory/event.page?id=VuhxjtsIt_k
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Revo
Revo is a fully accessible youth club for adults with learning disabilities aged 18-40 which
runs at the Billingham Forum. Activities include pool, cold cooking, nail art and table top
activities. They also have meals out at Christmas times. Parent/carers can stay or leave
their adult child – there are volunteers there who can offer supervision.
The club runs every Monday night from 6.00-8.00pm and costs £2.00
https://www.facebook.com/revo.billingham?fref=ts
MAIN
MAIN provides a range of service that are not all autism specific. These include short
breaks and one to one support; individual and outcome based. In Stockton they have been
funded to run short breaks which include fortnightly clubs for those aged 8-12 and for
those aged 13-17 at Elm Tree; they are also funded to provide an ASD holiday club every
Friday during the school holidays.
Other non-funded clubs that Stockton families can access include teens and tweens and
youth and adult groups that run in Teesside.
They deliver a wide range of training programmes for anyone who has a need to
understand more about Autism. Training professionals, parents, carers or those on the
Spectrum themselves, MAIN has a course to suit you, for more information on training;
workshops and events please visit our website www.iammain.org.uk
The Kiora Inspiring creative kids (KICK)
Provision is delivered from qualified youth workers from Youth Direction as part of the
Stockton Borough Council offer. It currently runs one evening per week in term time on a
Wednesday 6-8pm the Kiora Hall community centre in Roseworth. This provision is open
to young people aged 11-25 years with additional or complex needs.
Parents and carers are welcome to stay with their child or if they are able to attend
unaccompanied and their needs can be met from the staff, they can attend on their own.
Any questions around this can be discussed with the staff.
They like to focus on activities of interest to the young people who attend; these include
arts and crafts, pool, table tennis and computer access. Some recent activities have
included a dance workshop, cake decorating and movie nights. In the Summer time when
the weather is kinder they have access to the outside area which has a large grassed
area.
For more information email [email protected] or call 01642 677600
29
SNAPS Plus
18 years to infinity Activities for adults with a complex or additional need
SNAPS Plus Pub Night 7.00pm — 9.00pm 1st and 3rd Wednesday at The Mile House Pub
(Function Room) Stockton TS19 9AA. Join in the atmosphere of the Mile House.
Maybe with a karaoke, a pub quiz, Bingo, a game of cards or dominoes or more….
£2.00 payable to SNAPS Plus - meet friends old and new—Parent/carer/guardian free
ID (proof of age) must be brought with you plus money for drinks. Please note Parent/Carer/Guardian to stay in the Function Room.
SNAPS Plus Ice Skating Fridays Term time from 9.30-10.30am at Billingham Forum Ice
Arena Billingham TS23 2LJ. Fun on the Ice for all (Wheelchairs - power and manual /
sledges/ go on in trainers or use Skates) £2.00 payable to SNAPS Plus - meet friends old
and new—Parent/carer/guardian free. Please note - Parent/Carer/Guardian to stay and
supervise
For more information contact Ruth Benson on 07745969049 or 01642530292
Email [email protected]
Regenerate
A unique therapeutic service, run by Keely who is on the autism spectrum herself. This
service is best known for its dance and drama components, but it is about so much more
than dance and drama - as every session helps to build skills and confidence and sensory
integration through group participation, sensory equipment and role play.
Sessions can also help with social skills and toilet confidence training. They are open to
two main groups of children and young people on the autism spectrum: Those who have
severe anxiety, Pathological Demand Avoidance and selective mutism; and those who
have severe sensory processing difficulties, low attention span and little or no functional
speech.
Through Keely’s own personal experiences, she can help and support children to come
along and break down the barriers to participate and live life to the full – she did it, so can
they!
http://www.regeneratedance.co.uk/
Adult Sportability
This is run through Stockton Borough Council and offers sports sessions for adults
followed by visits to a café. Sessions run on Mondays and also on Thursdays at Durham
University campus and are open to adults aged 18+
People can bring along carers with them to sessions. Everyone is encouraged to be
equally involved and included.
30
The club promotes confidence and can help those who have a passion for sport. Sessions
include football, boccia, curling, basketball and volleyball and cost £1 per person to attend.
For more information, email [email protected]
Daisy Chain
Run a wide range of activities, groups, clubs and holiday sessions at the Daisy Chain farm
in Norton.
These include a group for toddlers who have any special needs aged up to 5; Activity days
every Saturday and on Tuesday and Thursday in the holidays. They have lots of activities
during these sessions, cooking, crafts, soft play and the farm.
Trips are planned for each Friday in the holidays. They have a soft play session which is
aimed at the children who are not able to access the centre when busy. They also have a
Stockton funded club for children with ASD for children aged 3-7. They offer a siblings
group which runs every other Wednesday term time only. They also have a Stockton
contract to run a cookery club for children 11-17.
They gained funding to run an employability course for young people who put into practice
what they have learnt in their Charity Superstore on Portrack Lane.
www.daisychainproject.co.uk
OVOE - Our Version of Events
A club for adults aged 18+ with learning disabilities living in Teesside. The club has a
management committee made up of service users and supporters who run the club and
make decisions about what takes place.
They run social nights twice a month at Billingham Symphonia including dancing, singing,
pool, movies, board games, arts and crafts (work from the club will soon be included in an
exhibition about breaking down barriers).
They also run a reading group that meets once a month – use the little aloud training to
read as a group and discuss the core concepts of what is being read and how the adults
attending relate to the book. They also have trips to cinema, theatre and have regular
meal nights. The focus is very much on providing social activities and building skills.
https://www.facebook.com/OVOE2013
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Useful Vision
Useful Vision is a charity that supports North East visually impaired children and young
people aged 0-19 by providing opportunities to take part in lots of activities that sighted
people can take for granted. They have exclusive sessions including bowling, theatre
trips, rock climbing, cooking, arts sessions, horse riding, snow tubing and sports days.
All activities are open to families and siblings too. The aim is for the VI child to try
something new and have fun for all the family. About half of the visually impaired children
have additional needs to their visual impairment too.
Children and young people also take part in challenges which have included a Hadrian’s
Wall Walk and this year they will be doing a Northumberland coast walk and some will be
taking part in the Junior North Run
http://www.usefulvision.org.uk/
SWAT - Sports Wheelchair Activities Team
‘Whatever the sport, we want the chance to try it…..and to have fun as well!’
S.W.A.T is a sports club for wheelchair users who have physical and additional learning
difficulties, using both manual and power chairs. The club provides a unique provision
which gives wheelchair users a taste of individual sports, signposting participants to
specialist sports training and coaching, where appropriate.
The young people are from the local community across Stockton and the Tees Valley.
Participants have the opportunity to play a variety of sports and sport related activities,
using a range of equipment.
Tuesday sessions term time @ Abbey Hill Sports Hall, 6pm – 7.30pm cost £2.00 a session
for children aged 8 years upwards
Qualified Coach leads the sessions. If you would like more information contact Ruth
Benson on 07745969049 or 01642530292 email [email protected]
Shift - Stockton’s Healthy Inclusive Family Team
This club has been established after a gap was identified by the Service Providers Forum
and is for young people who would like some support with their weight (whose needs can’t
be met by attending mainstream Change for Life sessions)
The idea is for families to get healthy eating advice and team this up with friendly hands on
activities and gentle exercise. The club will run from 4.30-6.00pm on a Thursday; the
venue and dates will be decided when enough interest is shown and it will run for a period
of 6 weeks.
32
The club will be free and very relaxed. This will initially run as a pilot to see how it goes
and depending on this, it is hoped to keep running the club in the future.
Interested families can contact Jade Mulhearn at Stockton Leisure & Sports Development
on 01642 526694 or email: [email protected]
Live Life
Live Life provides services to young people and adults to access and experience
community life. If children and young people are anxious, support workers will work with
families to develop their skills and make sessions fun but target orientated to help them
achieve their goals.
When children reach 16+, they decide on what activities will take place and often, many of
these young people will then help the younger ones joining up. The club helps to promote
independence and provides opportunities to develop young people’s social lives and
friendships.
Through providing a Short Break Service of going away at weekends, young people get to
take positive risks to help with their independence. These include visits to Cadbury World
and Legoland.
https://www.facebook.com/LiveLifeServicescic
Sport Works
Run activities and short break sessions – all of which are pan disability for those aged 3-17
and parents don’t need to stay with their children. Sessions are sports based and include
athletics, swimming, basketball, boccia and others like archery and curling. Clubs run on
Mondays after school at the Elm Tree Centre and transport is put on for children from Ash
Trees and Abbey Hill to attend.
They also run a water confidence and skills club for children who are scared of water and
an ASD specific club on Saturday mornings. During school holidays they run a wide range
of activities with busy sessions being held on a Monday. In response to the developing
personalisation agenda, Sportworks are also running residential outward bound activities
which will be focussed on any child who is looking to develop their independence.
http://www.sportworksltd.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Sportworks4parents
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Carole from Stockton United for Change took the opportunity after these presentations to
thank all the service providers for the positive impact they have had on the lives of families
living in Stockton.
SUFC News Flash
To finish the conference, members of Stockton United for Change had a surprise
announcement for the parent/carers in attendance.
The forum has received some funding from the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic
Foundation. This foundation is a registered charity that was set up by Teessiders for
Teessiders. It helps businesses join together to make Teesside a better place in which to
work and do business and also helps individuals and groups reach their goals
With this funding, SUFC are able to offer families a free family theatre tickets for
immediate family members living in the same house to enjoy one performance per family
of a show at Billingham Forum. There are two choices of shows which are Chuckles of Oz
on Saturday 29 August 2015 at 7.00pm (for the older children) and the Chris and Pui Show
on Saturday 24 October 2015 at 2.00pm (for younger children).
Families CAN ONLY get their tickets though by attending a forthcoming Stockton United
for Change session, a drop in, an evening network meeting, a parent/carer network forum
meeting or the SUFC2 adult group. Tickets are limited so parent/carers were encouraged
to come along to an event very soon to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.
Further Questions Raised
The following questions were raised on post it notes at the conference but were not part of
the conference agenda so have not therefore been addressed within this report. However,
as all parent’s views and comments are welcomed, Stockton United for Change will take
these forward and address them with the relevant services as part of the forum’s next
steps:





Is Stockton Borough Council only going to fulfil its legal requirements or provide
services which are asked for by parent/carers for young people? What services
that have been provided will be reduced when other services are to be provided?
Out of borough residential provision – Stockton has purchased 3 properties; when
will these properties be used and for what? How much has Stockton Borough
Council saved by using these new facilities to date?
Disability register 0-17 what happens after 17 year. Where are young adults
register
Education Health Care Plan? when apply for DLA
Why is it so difficult to speak to someone at first contact, no understanding, no
sympathy.
34
Closing Remarks and Evaluation Forms
Attendees were thanked again for giving up their time and attending. Before leaving, they
were all encouraged to complete evaluation forms to help improve future events. 62
people completed a feedback sheet.
A summary of the key points made within these evaluation forms is attached as Appendix
One to this report.
Comments were overwhelmingly positive as parent/carers had particularly enjoyed and
welcomed how much information they had gathered throughout the day.
35
Appendix One – Summary of Evaluation Form Comments
Something I have learnt from today


The majority of respondents had gathered a huge amount of information about a
wide range of issues, particularly short breaks, the grants available to families and
the whole host of service providers that are available in the Stockton area. Many
people commented on the fact that they had found out about services that they
didn’t know existed before
Some people also highlighted how they had learnt a lot about the Stockton United
for Change parent forum – who they are, what they do and how to get involved
There is a lot more going on for my family than I realised
Something I’ve felt/experienced today


People were very positive with the majority of comments made as they had felt
relaxed, welcomed and empowered and had really enjoyed attending the
conference
Many said how it was great to meet up with so many other parent/carers in similar
circumstances and how lovely it was to not “feel alone”
Feels like I belong to a lovely exclusive family who understand
Something I’ll take away from today


Information in the form of knowledge, leaflets and contact details featured heavily in
respondents comments
Many parents said they were taking away new friends and a feeling of positivity
about the number of opportunities open to families in Stockton that they had learnt
about during the day
Nice to have a chat with other people, nice to gather information of what is available; what
a lovely day – thank you
Something that was not so good about today




The majority of people said nothing or not applicable but there were some
comments around the venue including queues for the lunch, the need for bigger
cups for the coffee and the lighting
There were also some comments about the difficulties in seeing some of the slides
during the presentations as they were blurry and the text was sometimes too small
Some people suggested the Care Act presentation had been difficult to follow but
acknowledgement that this might have been because it was not yet relevant to
individual circumstances
Another comment was made that it would have been good to have the opportunity
to ask people more questions on the day
36