Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record

1. The decision:

1.1. That the Executive and Lead Member for Children's Services approves the eligibility criteria for providing access to specialist services to be implemented from April 2010

2. Reason for the decision:

2.1. Government guidance, for Local authorities in implementing the Aiming High for Disabled Children service development programme, requires that eligibility criteria are reviewed to ensure that the policy is clear and that the needs of those with the most complex disabilities are addressed within available resources.

2.2. Earlier consultation with parents and stakeholders had confirmed that the existing criteria were difficult to understand and that their application during the assessment process was inconsistent. The revised criteria have been developed in consultation with parents and other stakeholders.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. No national guidance has been made available on the way in which eligibility criteria might be expressed and it is for each local authority to consider the criteria for access to services having taken into account available resources and those services it chooses to make available to reasonably meet assessed needs

3.2. Guidance does identify a number of target groups whose needs have historically not been well met, including those on the autistic spectrum with challenging behaviour, those with moving and handling needs and those with complex needs. The proposed eligibility criteria includes those groups in the statement of needs which will be met following an assessment

4. Conflicts of interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

None

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

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

N/A

7. Statement from the Decision Maker: