KIDSWorking with disabled children, young people and their families

Louise de Menthon and Alison Sutherland

• Over 8,000 disabled children, young people and their families• 140 services across England.

Our aim is to help families, children and young people…Build confidence

Have a happy childhoodDevelop skills

Challenge discriminationGive parents a break

Access to fun activitiesSupport Siblings

Our vision is a world in which all disabled children and young people realise their aspirations and their right to an inclusive community which supports them

and their families.

About Kids…

Why change the Statement to an EHCP?

•Children, young people and parents at the centre of decision making

•Supporting children, young people and parents to participate

•A focus on achieving the best possible outcomes

The Education Health and Care Plan…

• Working across agencies and institutions: education services, health services and care services (joint commissioning work)

• Plan focused on aspirations/goals and outcomes – rather than looking at just weakness’.

• 0-25 system

Key changes

• What does it mean in Islington?

• How does the conversion process work – what to expect?

• Each conversion/transfer varies depending on the child's needs and the professionals working with that child – no conversion process is exactly the same. Sometimes there will be no difficulties, sometimes you will want to gather more up to date reports so it could take a bit longer…. The most important thing is your child/YP ends up with a great plan.

What does it mean to go through a ‘Conversion’ or ‘Transfer’?

• Securing input from health and social care

• Preparing young people to make their own decisions

• Understanding the offer for young people aged 16-25 – esp. in college

• The 20 week timescale

Common challenges

• EHC plans must focus on education, health and care outcomes that will enable progress

• Distinction between aspirations and outcomes• ‘A benefit or difference made to an individual as a result of an

intervention’• Personal and ‘not expressed from a service perspective’ and not a

description of a service being provided• What needs to be achieved by end of a phase or stage

Best possible educational and other outcomes

What is Independent Support and how does it fit into the assessment/conversion process for EHCP’s.

• Independent supporters are trained to help families during an Education, Health and Care Plan assessment and throughout

the process of developing the plan.

• Listen to you and your child/young person.• Meet with you to explain the new process.• Help to start thinking about your aspirations for your child and what’s important for the future.• Support during meetings.• Liaison with professionals.• Help to explain professional reports and recommendations.• Help with any paperwork, including the draft Education, Health and Care Plan.• Help with understanding personal budgets.• Support for young people with a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA).

What type of advice/support can an Independent Supporterprovide?