Contact: Howard Firth, Service Manager - Education/Temp County Manager - Strategy. Tel: 01962 847278 - Email address: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1. The following decision is sought:

That the Executive member for Children & Families

a) approves signing up to the Charter and agrees lo the implementation of an Action Plan in response to meeting the 9 key outcomes

b) agrees to a Communication Strategy that:

· Informs parents, carers and young people that we have signed up to the Charter and updates them on the progress being made

· Engages all County Council departments and partners in the action plan

2 Reason

2.1 The decision supports the following Hampshire County Council policy:

· "Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all by enabling disabled children to have greater inclusion and involvement within their local community.

· Maximising well-being by ensuring every disabled child can have the best possible start in life and the support they and their families need to make equality of opportunity a reality.

· Enhancing our quality of place through developing opportunities for all citizens to be included within their local community."

2.2 The decision supports the Aim of the Children Act by enhancing the opportunities of disabled children and their families to:

· Be healthy

· Stay safe

· Enjoy and achieve to their full potential

· Make a positive contribution to their community

· Achieve economic well being and independence.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Not to sign up the Charter until all the challenges are achieved.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Only if item is a `key' decision and misses agenda despatch.

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families