A report by the Acting Director of Children’s Services reminded the Cabinet that on 14 February 2011, the Council had made the following resolution in response to a petition submitted by the Mayor and Councillor Tom Harney:

“Resolved (63:0) – That the Council initiates, as a matter of urgency, a thorough review of the current provision for children and young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) on Wirral. The review will produce a comprehensive policy regarding the best ways to educate, support and care for these children and young people including transition from and provision during life beyond school. Parents will be fully involved in the planning and writing of this policy.”

(Minute No. 80B refers.)

This review was to be presented to the Cabinet by the end of 2011.

Responsibility for the review was passed to the Acting Deputy Director of Children’s Services and, in line with the Council’s policy a project was established following the Principles of Prince2.

It was agreed that the resolution would be actioned in two ‘phases’.  Phase 1 would be a review of the current services received by children and young people with PMLD and their families.  Phase 2, if the recommendations (listed below) were accepted by the Cabinet, would consist of an update of identified policies, procedures and services in line with the recommendations.

The review of current services was carried out on the authority’s behalf by the University of Chester whose full report was available on the Council’s website.  The Executive Summary was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. The review identified a number of areas where changes could be made to services which would improve the quality of service received by parents.  The recommendations listed below addressed these areas and, if approved by Members would be addressed in Phase 2:

Recommendation 1

The authority reviews its school transport arrangements for children and young people with PMLD and discusses with the five CLD (Complex Learning Difficulties) schools and others how access to extended school activities both during term time and school holidays can be improved – short term.

Recommendation 2

The authority in collaboration with all its key partners reviews procedures for successfully managing all key age related transition periods in order to make them as smooth as possible. In particular lessons can be learned from where transitions work well e.g. from early years provision into early years settings/school, and applied elsewhere. Particular attention should be given to the emotional as well as practical support needed by parents, children and young people – short to medium term.

Recommendation 3

An “information point” be developed for parents and professionals which identifies the full range of services available to parents, children and young people and how they might be accessed – including any particular criteria that might apply. Allied to this will be the development of a communication strategy which ensures that such information is made available where it is accessible and convenient to parents. This fits well with the Green  ...  view the full minutes text for item 246