Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Record of Executive Decision

1) Summary:

The following decisions were made :

1.1. That the Executive Member for Children and Families approves that consultation shall be undertaken on revised criteria for disabled children and young people to access specialist services and receive a further report in July 2009

1.2. That the Executive Member for Children and Families approves in principle the proposed outline changes to the operation of Direct Payment arrangements and receive a further report setting out the detailed arrangements prior to implementation in April 2010.

2) Reasons for the decision:

2.1. Government guidance confirms that Local Authorities shall, as a condition of receiving the Aiming High Grant, undertake a review and consult upon eligibility criteria for access to services.

2.2. The revision of eligibility criteria should clarify what needs can be met and focus specialist services upon those with the most complex needs

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Direct payments

1. To make no changes to the existing Direct Payments scheme and continue to offer a payment only in relation to domiciliary care

2. To expand the use of a Direct Payment to a broader range of services

3.2 Current guidance on Direct Payments clarifies that a payment must be offered to all those who meet the eligibility criteria for the defined services and who are eligible to receive a payment. In order to improve the offer of care the existing Hampshire scheme must be changed to allow for a payment to be made in relation to a broader range of specialist service than is currently the case

3.3 Eligibility Criteria

1. To make no changes to the existing eligibility criteria

2. To lower the threshold in order to meet a lower level of need that could be met by specialist services.

3. To clarify the definitions of complex and severe needs which can be met by specialist services

3.4 It would be possible to make no changes to the existing eligibility criteria (option 1) as they operate satisfactorily from the point of view of managing the allocation of services to meet assessed needs within available resources. However the present criteria are difficult for parents and other agencies to understand.

3.5 The option to lower the threshold for access, to specialist services, to those with lower or more moderate needs would not be affordable. The offer of a level of service to those attending special schools or claiming higher rate care and or mobility Disabled Living Allowances reaches in the order of an 3600 young people, many of whom would not meet the eligibility criteria for access to specialist services.

3.6 The option to clarify the definition of severe or complex needs which can be met by specialist services represents the best opportunity to respond to issues raised in consultation and also to ensure specialist services are targeted to those in the greatest need.

4. Conflicts of Interest:

a. Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision-Maker:

None

b. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive members consulted:

None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

6. Any reasons for the matter being dealt with urgently:

None

7. Statement from the Decision Maker: