Lack of multi-agency working and co- ordination Lack of a holistic approach Lack of information for children and families Lack of attention to the needs of the young person Lack of appropriate services to transfer to

All research indicates an early start is beneficial – no later than year 9 (13 – 14 yrs.) Young people and families need to take a lead role Important to make use of Person Centred Planning tools The plan needs to focus on outcomes and actions The plan should focus on 4 pathways Employment / Education / Activities Housing Good health Developing friends, relationships and community links

1. What money do I have for my support 2. Who can help me make decisions 3. Who do I want to help me put my plan together 4. What’s working in my life right now. What’s not working 5. Who am I 6. What would be a great day for me

7. What would be an awful day 8. What would be the best ever future for me 9. What is most important to me 10. How can people support me well 11. How can we communicate 12. How do I keep healthy and safe

From Sept. 2014, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC) come into force, which can start at birth and potentially continue to age 25yrs. There must be a focus on transition and preparation for adulthood from Year 9 at the latest. From April 2015, if care and support needs are likely post 18yrs, there will be a duty to complete a Child’s Needs Assessment (CNA) EHC plans and CNAs should include an indicative personal budget

Schools and colleges should raise the career aspirations of their SEN students and broaden their employment horizons. They should use a wide range of imaginative approaches, such as taster opportunities, work experience, mentoring, exploring entrepreneurial options, role models and inspiring speakers.

Areas appear to be retaining their previous approaches to eligibility. There are three main points of difference: there is more emphasis on gathering information from across services at the point of referral the family is much more involved through the co- ordinated assessment and planning stages it produces a plan which is more outcome focussed and family centred, having involved the family much more

The Preparing for Adulthood programme (PfA) is funded by the Department for Education as part of the delivery support for the special educational needs and disability (SEND) reforms. It focuses on young people aged 14 to 25yrs.

1.16 million year olds are not in education, employment or training A commitment to provide dedicated support to help disabled students participate and succeed in further education provide opportunities for workplace based learning through supported internships, work placements and the use of supported employment.

Draws on the experiences of Pilot Projects during 2012/13 Similar to an apprenticeship but: A higher level of support A longer programme No entry requirements Can retain EHC plan while participating

Financial sustainability is the greatest challenge facing local public services – during the current Parliament, local government’s core funding will fall by 40%. The reforms introduced by the Bill need to be fully costed and funded as New Burdens. This means funding both for preparing for implementation in 2014/15 (for which a £70 million SEN reform grant has been allocated) and supporting ongoing running costs (money for which will be allocated through future Spending Reviews).

New requirement for LAs, health and care services to commission services jointly, to ensure that the needs of children and young people are met. A new duty on health commissioners to deliver the health elements of EHC plans. Option of a personal budget for families and young people with a plan, extending choice and control over their support.

LAs & CCGs must work together to commission services for children with SEN both with and without Education Health Care (EHC) plans. Joint Commissioning Boards will be created to Secure EHC assessments Secure education, health & care provision Agree Personal Budgets

Once an LA confirms a plan is necessary, a parent or young person can request an EHC personal budget - an amount of money identified to achieve agreed outcomes. It may be managed in three ways: The local authority manages the funds and commissions the support specified in the EHC plan (sometimes called “notional arrangements”). The funds are paid to a third party to manage on behalf of the parent or young person. The funds are paid to the parent or young person as a direct payment, and they buy the provision specified in the plan.

Early resolution – The expectation is that LAs & CCGs work together to resolve disputes When this fails parents/YP can appeal to SEND Tribunals They will then be offered mediation LAs must arrange for Disagreement Resolution Services to be available

A duty on local authorities to publish a Local Offer is being brought in by the Children and Families Bill. The Local Offer must set out all the services available for disabled young people with or without an EHC Plan across education, health, care, transport, employment, housing and community inclusion.

Local authorities must publish, in one place, information about provision they expect to be available in their area for children and young people from 0-25 who have SEN The local offer has 2 key purposes: To provide clear, comprehensive information about support and opportunities available To make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving children & YP with SEN and parents & carers in its development

The presumption of capacity All practical steps must be taken to help people make their own decisions before determining a lack of capacity People have the right to make what others might consider unwise of eccentric decisions Anything done for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done in their best interests Any decisions should be based on the least restrictive of their freedom and rights

Understand the information given to them Retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision Weigh up the information available to make the decision Communicate their decision – this could be by talking, using sign language or even simple muscle movements such as blinking and eye or squeezing a hand

Further Information and resources Preparing for Adulthood resources on person centred transition: Information from the pathfinders on EHC Plans and assessments: Information from the pathfinders on personal budgets: In Control: Personalising Education: Think Local Act Personal: Moving on Well pack:

Further Information and resources SCIE Research briefing 4: Transition of young people with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses from children's to adult's services Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities – Transition disability-a-z/t/transition/ Transition Information Network