CCS028 Therapeutic Assessment to Support Education and Health Care Plan Delivery

Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council (D2N2) form a regional cluster in which we aim to collaborate to deliver better outcomes for children. Within this cluster, it has become evident that there is a need for further support from external providers to ensure effective, timely and valuable delivery of assessments to support Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) delivery for our Children, who require this support.

To facilitate more cohesive and efficient delivery of therapeutic assessments which support EHCP delivery and to ensure better outcomes for children whose educational needs are the responsibility of the D2N2 Councils are publishing an opportunity for providers to join a framework. The framework will be procured under the "Light Touch Regime" for Social and Other Specific Services, and the Councils anticipate that framework will be reopened periodically to new applicants.

Education Psychologist’s (EP) skills in research and development are used, in collaboration with schools and other services to ensure that it’s work is based upon the best available evidence of what works. Education Psychologist’s shall be required to carry out assessments of children and young people’s strengths and needs, working collaboratively to improve outcomes for children and young people from 0–25 in their learning and social and emotional development and to deliver the educational psychology services required, by: Consulting with educational staff, parents and carers to advise on the best approaches and provisions to support learning and development; Supporting teachers, parents and others involved with the education of CYP; and Developing and applying effective interventions to promote psychological well-being, social, emotional, and behavioural development and to raise educational standards.

Supporting children’s speech, language and communication contributes to a wide range of outcomes in achievement, social competence, behaviour and mental health. The aims and objectives of this service are to: Ensure children and young people’s speech, language and/or dysphagia difficulties are diagnosed and an assessment of level of impairment identified to plan the best therapeutic approach and ultimately improve the outcomes for the child or young person; Develop a child’s speech, language and communication skills to their full potential and support them to fulfil their long-term ambitions and aspirations; Support and improve the skills and knowledge of the wider health professional’s workforce by providing updates and awareness raising regarding paediatric SaLT; and Ensure Therapists work in partnership with individuals and their families/carers and with other professions/agencies to reduce the impact of speech, language and communication, dysphagia difficulties on children’s wellbeing.

The Occupational and Sensory Therapy services skills in delivery and development are used, in collaboration with schools and other services to ensure that it’s work is based upon the best available evidence of what works, for the support of children and young people. All assessments must involve direct observation of the child/young person within their school/setting or other mutually agreed suitable venue, information gathered from school/setting staff about the CYP’s presenting sensory processing needs in the setting, information gathered from a parent/carer may include an observation in the home, where the assessment deems this necessary.

Physiotherapist’s skills in musculoskeletal systems are used in collaboration with schools and other services to ensure that their work is based upon the best available evidence of what works for individual learners. Care packages shall be tailored to individual needs and will be delivered by therapists from a broad skills and knowledge base, to meet a broad spectrum of needs and degrees of complexity/specialty, enabling flexible and responsive delivery by the multi-disciplinary workforce supported by multi-skilled individuals.

Physiotherapists will carry out assessments of children and young people’s strengths and needs in relation to their physiotherapy needs, working collaboratively to: Consult with educational staff, parents and carers to advise on the best approaches and provisions to support physical development; Support teachers, parents and others involved with the education of children and young people; and Develop and apply effective interventions to promote and maintain physical well-being, social, emotional, and behavioural development and to raise educational standards. This leads to improved outcomes for children and young people from 0–25 in their physical, learning and social and emotional development.