Contact: Colin Hardy, 07718 146800, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children & Families approves that consultation should commence to determine the future needs for a overnight short break services to support Disabled Children and their carers.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

· 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

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

2.2 The proposal to commence consultation will also support all the outcomes of the Children Act, in particular to ensure the health and safeguarding needs of children with a disability and their families are addressed

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 It is necessary to re-tender for some services during 2008/9 and for new service contracts to be on place by April 2009. In view of Government guidance arising from the publication, Aiming High for Disabled Children, it is necessary to seek the views of partners and consumers on the need for overnight short break services in the context of other service opportunities prior to seeking tenders for service provision.

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

Approved by: Date:

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

Councillor Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families