Parent Carer Forums Survey - Impact of the SEND Reforms November

Welcome to the 'SEND November 2015 implementation survey'

Thank you for taking part in this survey. The survey closes on Wednesday 9 December 2015.

This survey is designed to help local authorities, parent carer forums and the Department for Education understand progress in implementing reforms to the system for supporting children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). New legal duties on this came into effect on 1 September 2014. The transition to the new system is a gradual one over the next four years.

The survey results play an important role in tailoring the support which is available to local authorities and parent carer forums. They also help to identify those areas making particularly good progress to share learning.

Local Authorities are completing a similar survey.

The information you provide in this survey will be treated in confidence and is intended only for internal use within the Department for Education. An aggregated version of the survey results will be published, but not information at individual local level. All information related to Government business is potentially subject to the Freedom of Information Act; should we receive any requests for data at individual authority level we will consult the authority concerned to take views about the sensitivity of the information requested.

The survey closes on Wednesday 9 December 2015.

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Your details

*1. Your local area:

*2. Region:

East of England North East South West

East Midlands North West West Midlands

London South East Yorkshire & Humber

*3. Details of your Parent Carer Forum, your name and role in your local Parent CarerForum:

Your name:

Name of your forum:Your role in the forum:Your email address:

*4. Number of forum members involved in considering the responses to this survey?

1 2 to 3 4 to 6 7 to 12 More than 12

*5.Have you discussed responses to this survey with your LA?

Yes

No

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Effective coproduction and user engagement

*6. In the opinion of your forum how well engaged do you think children, young people and parents are in strategic planning and coproduction of SEND services with your Local Authority?

Fully – co-production is the approach

our Local Authority take in all or most aspects of the reforms

Largely – our Local

Authority co-produce

some things with this

group, and consult them on a range of other things

Moderately – our Local Authority

arrangements aren’t properly

developed. This is an

area we are working on

Poorly – our Local

Authority are struggling with this

Nonexistent – our Local

Authority don’t involve them

at all

Don’t Know

ChildrenYoung people

Parents

Please use this space to highlight any examples of good practice in your Local areas or where you may be experiencing difficulties

*7. In the opinion of your forum how well engaged do you think children, young people and parents are in making decisions about their own SEND provision:

Fully – co-production is the approach

our Local Authority take in all or most aspects of the reforms

Largely – Our Local

Authority co-produce some

things with this group, and consult them on a

range of other things

Moderately – Our Local Authority

arrangements aren’t

properly developed. This is an

area we are working on

Poorly – Our Local

Authority are struggling with this

Nonexistent – Our Local

Authority don’t involve them

at all

Don’t Know

ChildrenYoung people

Parents

Please use this space to highlight any examples of good practice in your local area or areas where you are having difficulty

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*8. Local Authorities are required to review their local offer at least annually in light of comments and feedback from parents, children and young people, and make it clear how they have responded to such feedback.

In the opinion of your forum how is your Local Authority engaging children, young people and parents in further development of their local offer (please tick all boxes that apply)?

Focus groups with children and young peopleFocus groups with parents and carersAn online feedback page on the local offer websiteThrough your Parent Carer ForumOtherDon’t Know

If you ticked ‘Other’ above please give further details

*9. Has your Local Authority published a summary of comments received about their local offer?

YesNoDon't know

Please provide the weblink for your Local Authorities Local Offer and tell us how they have responded to comments from parents, children and young people

*10. In the opinion of your forum is your Local Authority referring parents and young people to Independent Supporters?

YesNoDon't know

Any other comments?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*11. In the opinion of your forum does your Local Authority have effective local working arrangements with:

Yes, fully developed

Yes, to some extent

Yes, to a limited extent

No, arrangements are not yet in

place

Don’t Know

Your local Independent

Supporter ServiceYour Information,

Advice and Support Service

Your Parent Carer Forum

Please provide further details on what these arrangements are or how they are developing

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Specific reforms

Please assess below your Local Authority’s progress in implementing the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.

1625 provision

*12. In the opinion of your forum, in light of the Code of Practice, are further education providers in your local area considering their offer for SEND students and reshaping provision?

Yes, fully – providers are fully on board with the reforms from a senior level down and are considering how the study programmes they offer can best help students with SEND to progress and meet the four Preparing for Adulthood outcomes.Yes, to some extent –most FE providers are well engaged with the reforms and developing their offer in response, although some have not yet begun to fully consider this, and engagement is limited in some cases to additional learning support departments rather than across whole providers.Yes, to a limited extent A few providers are engaged and beginning to consider their offer for students with SEND, but most have yet to fully grasp the full implications of the reforms.No FE providers have not been well engaged in the reforms and are not responding to changes by considering whether their offer best meets the needs of students with SEND, there is little evidence that they will implement changes or broaden provision in response to the reforms.Don’t Know

What are the challenges in this area; are any specific to the 19 25 age group? What kind of support would help?

*13. In the opinion of your forum how well is your Local Authority working with the following to ensure that, where needed, they are providing a continuum of provision (including health and social care) for 1925 year olds with EHC plans in your area:

Very well They have made a start

No work yet in place Don’t Know

Local collegesTraining providersSpecialist post16 institutionsAdult social careAdult health servicesEmployers

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Any other comments?

*14. If known, in the opinion if your forum, how is your Local Authority using the funding from the SEND Preparation for Employment grant that was transferred to local authorities in March 2015? Please give examples of how the grant is being used to improve preparation for employment for young people with SEND in your local authority. (www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/410383/SEND_Preparation_for_Employment_Grant_Determination_Letter_120315.pdf)

Joint Commissioning arrangements

*15. If known, in the opinion of your forum, what developments are your Local Authority currently working on through joint commissioning in your area?

*16 What are the challenges in this area, and what kind of support would help?

Accountability

*17. In the opinion of your forum has your Local Authority put in place processes to assess their use of feedback, data and intelligence to improve their delivery and measure the progress and success?

Yes, fully in placeYes, to some extentYes, to a limited extentNo, arrangements are not yet in placeDon’t Know

Any other comments?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

New EHC needs assessments

*18. EHC plans and Personal Budgets:

If known how many EHC plans has your Local Authority issued in your local authority between 1 September 2014 and 31 October 2015?Of these, how many carry a Personal Budget?How many of these Personal Budgets are related to special educational provision?If know what are the challenges in this area, and what kind of support would help?

*19. EHC plans and young offenders in custody:

(*Young offenders in custody, are those aged 18 or under, ordinarily resident within your LA, currently remanded or sentenced to Relevant Youth Accommodation e.g. Young Offenders Institutes, as well as those voluntarily detained in Secure Children’s Homes.)If know how many EHC needs assessments for young offenders in custody* have been undertaken since 1 April 2015?If known how many final EHC plans has your Local Authority issued to young offenders in custody since 1 April 2015?If known how many EHC needs assessments for young offenders in custody* have been undertaken but led to a decision not to issue an EHC plan?Any other comments

*20. If known, in terms of number of new requests for assessment, how did the period1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015 compare to the same period a year ago?

Fewer new requests

Same number of new requests

More new requests

Don’t Know

Overall new requests for assessmentUnder fivesSchool agePost16Autistic Spectrum DisordersSocial, Emotional and Mental HealthSpeech, Language and Communication NeedsPlease note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t

Know’ response when collated.

Other

Please tell us about any other patterns/profiles that are not listed above

*21. In the opinion of your forum what barriers to completion in 20 weeks is your Local Authority facing? Please tick all that apply.

None – our Local Authority are currently managing to issue most (at least 90%) of new EHC plans within 20 weeksGathering information for EHC assessments from health professionals within 6 weeks of requestGathering information for EHC assessments from care professionals within 6 weeks of requestGathering information for EHC assessments from educational psychologists within 6 weeks of requestLocal Authority capacityInstitution responding within 15 daysOtherDon't know

Any other comments?

Transfers of statements and LDAs

*22. If known, how many Transition Reviews for statements were completed by 31 October 2015 by your Local Authority (i.e. final EHC plans issued between 01 September 2014 and 31 October 2015 as a result of Transition Reviews)?

*23. If known, how many requests did your Local Authority receive from those with LDAs for an EHC needs assessment between 01 September and 31 October 2015?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*24. If known, how many EHC needs assessments were carried out by your Local Authority for young people with LDAs (i.e. from start of assessment to issue of EHC plan or letter with decision not to issue) between 1 September 2014 and 31 October 2015?

*25. If known, of these, how many were issued with final EHC plans by 31 October 2015?

*26. In the opinion of your forum, how confident are you that your Local Authority will complete the Transition Review process for the statements and LDAs to EHC plans that they have for the period 1September 2015 to 31st August 2016?

Extremely confidentVery confidentModerately confident.Not very confidentNot at all confidentDon’t Know

Any other comments?

Further support

*27. In the opinion of your forum what further support might your Local Authority find helpful to implement the SEND Reforms fully?

*28. Is there anything else you would want the Department for Education to be aware of?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Health

*29. Does your Forum have regular contact with the DMPO/DCO (designated medical officer/ designated clinical officer for your area?

YesNoDon't know

Any other comments?

*30. Is your Forum aware of any workforce development activity for Health staff to support the implementation of the SEND reforms?

YesNoDon't know

If yes what is it?

*31. Has your Forum been involved in the delivery of workforce development for Health staff to support the implementation of the SEND reforms?

YesNoDon't know

Any other comments?

*32. Is there regular Health representation at SEND Strategic planning and review meetings?

YesNoDon't know

If so please provide the role of the person attending?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*33. How would you rate the provision of information on health services, pathways and eligibility criteria’s in your Local Offer?

Excellent – comprehensive, fully transparent and accessibleGood – a good level of information provided but still could be improved; please list the areas that need improvementPoor – significant gaps in information and not easily understoodDon’t Know

Any other comments?

*34. Does your forum have a CCG board member that they can raise issues with?

YesNoDon't know

Any other comments?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*35. General duty to provide Short Break services:

How well do the Local Authority and Clinical Commissioning Group:

Extremely Well Very well Moderately well

Not very well

Not at all well

Don’t Know

Understand the needs of parent carers (‘have regard’) in relation to Short Breaks?Measure the impact of Short Breaks in assisting parent carers ‘to continue to care or to do so more effectively’?Ensure that Short Breaks enable parent carers to be able to: ‘undertake education, training or any regular leisure activities,’?Ensure that Short Breaks enable parent carers to be able to: ‘meet the needs of other children in the family more effectively’?Ensure that Short Breaks enable parent carers to be able to: ‘carry out day to day tasks which they must perform in order to run their household.’?

Any other comments?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*36. Type of Short Break services that must be provided:

‘How well do the Local Authority and Clinical Commissioning Group:

Extremely Well

Very well Moderately well

Not very well

Not at all well

Don’t Know

Design Short Breaks based upon an understanding of the needs of parent carers living in the area?Ensure that the ‘range of services’ is ‘sufficient’ to meet the needs of parent carers living in the area?Provide a ‘range of services’ that encompasses: ‘daytime care in the homes of disabled children or elsewhere’?Provide a ‘range of services ‘that encompasses: ‘overnight care in the homes of disabled children or elsewhere’?Provide a ‘range of services’ that encompasses: ‘educational or leisure activities for disabled children outside their homes’Provide a ‘range of services’ that encompasses: ‘services available to assist parent carers in the evenings, at weekends and during the school holidays?

Any other comments?

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Short Breaks

*37. ‘Short Breaks Services Statement & the Local Offer’: ‘How well do the LocalAuthority and Clinical Commissioning Group:’

Extremely Well

Very well Moderately well

Not very well

Not at all well

Don’t Know

Work in participation and coproduction to develop the Short Breaks Services Statement and Local Offer?Ensure that the Short Breaks Services Statement and Local Offer are based on the needs of families?Ensure the Short Breaks Services Statement and Local Offer contains up-to-date and fully accessible information, outlining: ‘the range of services provided’?‘any criteria by which eligibility for those services will be assessed’?‘how the range of services is designed to meet the needs of parent carers in their area’?

Any other comments?

*38. Is your local authority making any changes to your short breaks provision either in 2015/16 or planned for 2016/17?

YesNoDon’t know

If so please tell us about these

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

*39. If you know will your local areas total budget for short breaks planned for 2016/17 be;

More than 2015/16The same as 2015/16Less than 2015/16Don’t know

Other (please specify)

*40. What support would be most helpful to you as a forum to help engage and participate with the Local Authority in relation to Short Break services?

*41. The Department would like to share examples of good practice with local authorities to help with implementation. If there are any areas where you think you have particularly strong examples of practice to share with others, please identify them in the box below.

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.

Thank you for completing the survey

Thank you for completing the survey

Please return this to Helen Reid at helen.reid@cafamily.org.uk

Once we have collated all responses, we will provide you with an aggregated version of the survey results, but will not publish information at individual area level.

Please note incomplete responses to questions submitted in this word version, will default to a ‘Don’t Know’ response when collated.