Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the Short Break Activities Programme and consultation outcomes.

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the proposed changes to the Short Break Activities Programme before consideration by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People.

Representatives of Children’s Services provided a report and supporting presentation regarding outcomes from the consultation and recommendations on proposed changes to the Short Break Activities Programme, due for consideration by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People at her 11 November 2020 Decision Day. (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). The Children and Young People Select Committee was invited to scrutinise the proposals prior to the Executive Lead Member’s decision, and provide recommendations to the Executive Member about the proposals.

Members of the Committee were taken through the presentation slides which outlined key areas of the report, and the financial context of the proposals was explained, with a savings target of £696,000 for the Short Breaks Activities Programme.  The context to the Service was highlighted as set out on page 4 of the presentation slides, and it was noted that specialist services provided for children with assessed social care needs were not included in the consultation.  It was heard that there were currently 2,500 Gateway Card holders in Hampshire, of whom 550 attended a short break activity in 2019/20, and attendance was variable as detailed on the graph on page 5 of the presentation slides.

The consultation commenced on the 9 March and the engagement undertaken was detailed on page 6 of the presentation slides.  In response to the Covid pandemic and the national lockdown, the engagement approach had to be flexed and this was explored through a variety of means which included virtual sessions, offers of telephone sessions and support to complete response forms.  The consultation period was also extended by a further 6 weeks to a total of 18 weeks in response to the pandemic. 

Each of the proposals were explained in more detail and set out on pages 10-18 of the presentation slides.  It was explained that most of the savings would be achieved from proposal one which would reduce the overall grant, but to continue to commission short break activities according to priorities agreed with parents.  The reasoning around this was explained and it was heard that in the current round, more places were purchased than anticipated, most providers rarely have a waiting list and there was, in some areas, a surplus of places.  This was the least popular proposal with consultation respondents, but the opportunity to achieve savings within the budget was limited and this proposal was recommended for implementation. 

The details around proposals two and three were explained to Members and in relation to proposal three, it was heard that this was not recommended for implementation because of the impact of the Covid pandemic, and within the grant round, a minimum match-funding level would not be imposed.  Details around proposal four were explained, which would reduce the grant awarded to Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN).  It was highlighted that in reflection of the work HPCN undertake for the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s), the CCG’s have committed to contribute to HPCN’s grant so therefore there would be no net reduction in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153