Evaluation of SEND Pathfinder October 2013
Published: October, 2013
Evaluation Of SEND Pathfinder https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246079/DFE-RB281.pdf
Draft Code of Practice https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246226/Draft_SEN_Code_of_Practice_-_statutory_guidance.pdf
Devon SEND Training http://www.devonsendpathfinder.info/training/
Key paragraph from Draft Code of Practice
Local authorities’ role in delivering health services
Local authorities and CCGs should consider how best to integrate the commissioning of services for children and young people with SEN with the CCG’sbroad responsibility for commissioning health services for other groups, and the local
authority’s responsibility for health protection and health improvement for the local population. The local authority in particular has responsibility for securing a range of public health services which may be relevant for children and young people, and will want to consider how this can be aligned with the arrangements for commissioning SEN services : for example, the Healthy Child Programme for pre-school and school-age children, including school nursing.
Health services
Health bodies must co-operate with the local authority in commissioning integrated, personalised services and designing the local offer (including ensuring relevant contracts with providers reflect the needs of the local population).
Clinicians and providers will:
•support the identification of children and young people with SEN, particularly at key points such as in the early years through the progress check at age 2, the integrated health check and through the healthy child programme;
•respond to requests for advice for an EHC plan within required time limits;
•make available health care provision specified in the EHC plan as per theircommissioned role;
•contribute to regular reviews of children and young people with EHC plans where requested/relevant.
Designated Health Officer
Identifying children and young people with SEN, and offering them the health support they need in relation
to their learning difficulty or disability, is crucial.
A Designated Health Officer (DHO) should be identified whose role is to ensure that the CCG is meeting its statutory responsibilities for SEN. Every CCG must help LAs identify and support children and young people with SEN. This includes:
•Ensuring that local health services (including primary and secondary care) are able to inform the local authority of childr
en under compulsory school age who they think may have SEN (clause 24).
•The individual or individuals designated by the CCG with responsibility for fulfilling this function should provide the point of contact for LAs and schools seeking health advice on children who may have SEN.
•The DHO should also ensure other agencies are fully engaged with arrangements for ensuring appropriate statutory notifications are made.
•The DHO may also offer an advocacy role for children and young people with SEN.
In addition to this co-ordination/advocacy function, the DHO may also be given a role by the CCG contributing to strategic commissioning for SEN, ensuring that there are positive relationships between local commissioners, working to ensure effective co-operation and integration between education, social care and health, and reporting to the CCG executive and governing body.