Issue - items at meetings - Commissioning review of services for disabled children

Report of the Strategic Director of People.

33.1                Alison Nuttall, Strategic Commissioner presented the report and answered questions.

33.2It was noted that the draft disability report came to CYPOSC in January and March 2010.

33.3It was noted that that the Strategic Group for children with Disabilities had strong partnership working at its core. The review was set challenging financial targets and was developing an outcomes based approach to commissioning services into the future, taking particular account of the personalisation agenda. There was no clarification of what the budgets would be for 2011-12, which created anxiety in community and voluntary sector providers about whether their contracts would be renewed.

33.4Azdean Boulaich (Youth Council representative) asked for clarification as to why the numbers of disabled children was expected to increase over the coming years. Members were advised that this was due both to improved diagnosis and assessment, which meant that more children with certain conditions were being diagnosed (e.g. children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions); and to improved neo-natal care, which meant that children who might formerly have died at birth were surviving, but often with severe physical and/or learning disabilities.

33.5RESOLVED - that the Committee:

(1)               Noted the report on the review of services for disabled children;

(2)       Agreed to receive an update on the disability service in 2011.