Council for Disabled Children
May 2014
What is Independent Support?
•
A 2-year programme to provide additional support to
young people and parents during the implementation of
the SEND reforms
•
Independent Support is Government funded
•
CDC will manage the process and oversee an
independent evaluation
The 5 main operational aims for CDC
are:
1. To manage a transparent procurement process
2. To manage and implement a grant funding process to all eligible
Parent Partnership Services (PPS) to deliver the required services.
3. To provide advice and support to PPSs and organisations under
contract and engage local authorities (LA), to ensure successful
delivery of the programme throughout its duration.
4. To develop and provide appropriate training that improves workforce
skills and knowledge and thereafter the advice and support offered to
parents and young people.
5. To manage the process of independent evaluation that provides
evidence of improved outcomes for parents and young people and
successful practice in the sector.
What success might look like?
1. Investment results in the recruitment of a skilled workforce (up to 1,800 Independent
Supporters) who are equipped to support parents and young people through the SEN
and Disability reforms (evidence is attendance at appropriate training courses and local
feedback from children, young people and their families)
2. Data collected by contracted organisations indicate hard to reach families and
vulnerable young people receive Independent Support (parent survey)
3. Data collected through evaluation indicate that improved access to information, advice
and support has helped parents and young people through the EHC assessment
planning process and had a positive impact on the development of plans.
4. Evaluation indicate systems change has led to improvements in the provision of local
information, advice and support for parents and young people by LAs, PPSs and
other related organisations.
5. Evidence from evaluation suggest Independent Support adds value which results in
LAs wanting to commit to further investment providing their budget permits beyond
March 2016.
6. Independent evaluation confirms impact, value for money and success of the
programme, which helps Government take a view on their investment and its future.
Who is Independent Support designed to support?
It will provide independent supporters in each local area as
an additional resource for a time limited period to work
directly with young people and the parents of children
being assessed for an EHC plan
This will include:
•
•
•
New entrants to the system
Children with a statement converting to an EHC plan
Young people with an LDA converting to a plan
Who might provide IS?
Private, voluntary or community organisations Independent
Supporters will:
•
•
•
•
•
Be locally recruited
Have skills and expertise in working with parents and
young people
Have experience and understanding of SEN and disability
Be based in private, voluntary and community sector
organisations
Complete a training package
But achieved through partnership working
Local
Authority
“Through partnership
working, disabled children
and young people with
special educational needs
and their families are
supported through the SEN
and Disability reforms in
order to improve outcomes
and better life chances.”
Independent
Support
Disabled children
and young people
with SEN and their
families
Parent
Partnership
Service
National Network
Of Parent Carer Forums
Our approach
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‘Evidence and Practice Build’
Phase 1 : Implementation
Phase 2 : Implementation
(Timescale: February – June 2014)
(Timescale: June 2014 – March 2015)
(Timescale: April 2015 – March 2016)
Launch of tender exercise
targeting VCOs
Launch of tender exercise
targeting PPS
Support provided as identified
Develop and implement
training offer and new training
modules
Initial evaluation of trials
reported in June 2014
ES RFs develop good practice
in partnership working and
feedback on good practice
Monthly status report to DfE
Outcome report to DfE
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Launch of wider tender
exercise (VCO) for a longer
period
Launch of grant process to all
PPS
Contract monitoring and
management
Develop further training
modules (based on sector
need)
Training plan to Independent
Supporters recruited in regions
Evaluator criteria set and
appointed.
Twice yearly outcome report
with recommendations to DfE
Monthly status report to DfE
)
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Contract monitoring and
management
Evaluation report on impact
and good practice
Sustainability models of good
practice developed and
disseminated.
Further strategic advice and
support to sector based on a
need.
Preparation of final report and
recommendations
Exit strategy implemented.
E&B: Where are the VCS&P operating across England?
E&B: Where are PPS working across England?
What are we asking VCS&P organisations to do?
1. To investigate, gather evidence and report on effective practice
models to achieve positive outcomes and deliver an
Independent Support offer within local authority areas
2. Produce 3 practical and innovative workforce development
options that identifies an IS workforce (and what that looks like)
3. Produce evidence on what works well from a parent carer
perspective and young people to make choices in accessing
services and support
4. Fully engage in the pilot training programme being developed
by CDC during this phase of work
5. 3 case studies setting out examples of good local protocols
What are we asking PPS to do?
1. In the context of a Parent Partnership Service, explore, consult and
provide a range of options to implement an Independent Support
offer and ensure the PPS service is extended to disabled young
people and those with SEN up to age 25
2. In light of exploration work, 3 practical and innovative workforce
development options that identifies an IS workforce (and what that
looks like) – which sets out clearly how that workforce could be
managed and deployed locally or regionally to deliver the required
services.
3. 3 case studies setting out examples of good local protocols that
could be used and/or adapted by the authority and/or by other local
authorities and would support joined up service delivery (case
study template to be provided by CDC).
And at the same time we are…
• Developing a 4 day training package:
2 days on line (to be completed in advance of w/c 2 June)
2 days face to face (in w/c 2 June 2014)
• Piloting in the E&B phase
• The pilot is expected to involve up to 90 people across 15 sites
• Much training will be based on Early Support training and C&FA 2014
• IPSEA will develop and trail the pilot line legal element of the training
• ES RFs will deliver the face to face training
• For the long term, CDC will seek EOI to develop the national legal training
programme
More information
Visit the CDC website for news updates for Phase 1
Register your interest at: independentsupport@ncb.org.uk
Contact Martin Bull at mbull@ncb.org.uk