Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

The purpose of the report is to share the findings of the Targeted Short Breaks consultation which ran between 9^th January and 20^th March 2017, and make a recommendation in light of the feedback and the findings of the corresponding Equalities Impact Assessment.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  It is recommended that the Cabinet Member for Education approves the decision not to pursue savings through making cuts to the Targeted Short Breaks budget at this stage on the basis that:

                                          i.    The consultation feedback and the Equalities Impact Assessment did not conclusively identify a way in which savings could be realised without it having a detrimental impact on the children and young people and their parents/carers who access these services

                                        ii.    The process did reveal the need to undertake a broader review of the targeted short break offer and the range of services commissioned in the future as part of the re-tendering process. This will be completed so that contacts can be in place by 1^st April 2018, if possible delivering savings at the same time. 

The report was introduced by Julia Katherine, Head of Inclusion. 

Councillor Horton thanked officers for the report and considered that this was a very pragmatic solution following the outcome of the consultation.  She also considered it very encouraging that Enable Ability was willing to discuss the outcome of the consultation with the council to explore a realistic way forward. 

The Cabinet Member endorsed these comments and was happy to approve the recommendations.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member for Education agreed not to pursue savings through making cuts to the Targeted Short Breaks budget at this stage on the basis that:

(1)  The consultation feedback and the Equalities Impact Assessment did not conclusively identify a way in which savings could be realised without it having a detrimental impact on the children and young people and their parents/carers who access these services

(2)  The process did reveal the need to undertake a broader review of the targeted short break offer and the range of services commissioned in the future as part of the re-tendering process. This will be completed so that contacts can be in place by 1^st April 2018, delivering at the same time the level of saving required.