Agenda item

Mr Simon Burt informed the Board of the issues regarding the transition process for young people with additional support needs.  He spoke of the current services provided and the further work that could be taken forward to improve the outcome for service users. 

Cllr Jim Torrance questioned the need for a project person to provide guidance.  Mr Burt commented that the resource was not in the right place to support people through to adult services, currently people with needs fitted to the service instead of the service fitting into peoples needs. 

Mr Burt advised the requirement for the additional resource was to take a more objective look at what was currently being provided by who, where.  Mrs Evelyn Rodger commented that transitions were not easy, however, to put in place a project post ran the risk of the service becoming dependent upon that individual and she suggested using the various initiatives that were available such as LEAN methodology and improvement facilitators.  Mrs Rodger explained that the NHS funded a significant resource around improvement and redesign.  Mr Burt suggested those resources would be helpful however the Steering Group were of the opinion that expertise in transitions was also required. 

Mrs Rodger sought assurance that the project post would not become a one person dependent post.  Mr Burt responded that the post would be to use what was available in a more coherent way with a clear remit to work within the resources that existed to ensure the right people were in the right areas.  Mrs Rodger reiterated that the improvement teams could assist in that work.   

Dr Stephen Mather enquired if support for the project had already been agreed given the wording in the Integrated Care Fund paper on this matter.  Mrs Susan Manion advised that support would be sought from the Integrated Care Fund and specific costings would be brought to the H&SC Integration Shadow Board for approval with a recognition that the project post would need to be self funding. 

Mrs Jane Davidson reminded the Board that the Integrated Care Fund sat within the remit of the NHS and advised that it was essential to have a multi agency decision making group to ensure the fund was utilised to best effect.  Whilst the fund sat with the NHS and the NHS would be audited on it she was keen to make it as multi agency as possible and she suggested the multi agency mechanism for decisions could be discussed at a future H&SC Integration Shadow Board. 

Mrs Manion advised that the guidance set out that the Chief Officer would establish an Integrated Care Fund which would report through the H&SC Integration Shadow Board who would submit recommendations to the NHS Board for approval. 

Mrs Rodger enquired about the numbers of young people involved.  Mr Burt advised it was 10-12 as the principles applied to groups other than just Learning Disability services.  Mrs Rodger suggested drawing in child protection and being clear on numbers and links to childrens services. 

Mrs Elaine Torrance confirmed they whilst they were small numbers they were high cost packages.   

The H&SC INTEGRATION SHADOW BOARD noted the report

The H&SC INTEGRATION SHADOW BOARD noted it would receive progress reports.