| answer text |
<p>Creating an effective inter-agency approach, where local government works in partnership
with health partners to meet needs, is a key feature of the reforms to the Special
Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system introduced in the 2014 Children and
Families Act.</p><p> </p><p>We introduced joint Ofsted/Care Quality Commission local
area inspections of SEND services in May 2016 to hold services to account and support
them with improving. Where issues with performance are identified, including following
a SEND inspection, the Department for Education (DfE), Department for Health and Social
Care (DHSC) and NHS England collaborate to drive improvement.</p><p> </p><p>In addition
to the inspections, we have strengthened joint accountability through the introduction
of a 2-year trial, which began in April 2018, extending the remit of the First-tier
Tribunal (SEND) to make non-binding recommendations on health and social care elements
of education health care (EHC) plans.</p><p> </p><p>To improve timeliness, the 2017-18
NHS Provider Contract for NHS Trusts included a new requirement to report on meeting
the 6-week deadline for health input into EHC plans.</p><p>We are clear that strong
strategic leadership across health, education and care is key to effective SEND services
and we have:</p><p> </p><blockquote><p>Established a new joint SEND system leadership
board, with representatives from education, health and social care, working alongside
joint roundtables chaired by Ministers from both DfE and DHSC.</p></blockquote><p>
</p><blockquote><p>Established a national network for Designated Medical Officers
and Designated Clinical Officers, funded a local authority-led regional network and
developed resources to support joint self-assessment and peer review.</p></blockquote><p>
</p><blockquote><p>Funded a consortium of partners, including the Condition Data Collection,
to work with health and social care services, including producing guidance on effective
joint commissioning and improving EHC plans.</p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><p>Funded
a SEND leadership programme and legal training for all local authorities and their
health partners to ensure they are clear on their statutory responsibilities.</p></blockquote><p>
</p><p>We have also re-emphasised the requirement to jointly commission Information,
Advice and Support (IAS) Services across health and the local authority through our
new minimum standards, backed by £10 million investment through the IAS programme.</p><p>
</p>
|
|
