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2.2 Disability Resource Panel

This is a confidential professionals meeting where information is shared on a ‘need to know basis’ only.


Contents 

  1. Information about the Panel
  2. Making Referrals
  3. Decision Making and Eligibility Criteria


1. Information about the Panel 

Remit 

The Panel will consider all new requests for services and reviews of current service provision for disabled children / young people who are referred for assessments by

  • Social Workers from the Children’s Disability Team
  • The Community Children’s Nursing Team/Centre Manager for Hollybank
  • Specialist Health Visitor

The Panel will decide on whether to provide a child or young person with the service recommended by the professional presenting to panel. The Panel will also decide on the level of service to be provided in accordance with the joint health & social services eligibility criteria.

Some decisions may be deferred for consideration by Strategic Managers, where complex funding issues are involved.

Composition 

The composition of the panel will be: 

Head of Service for Social Care

Head of Nursing

Children’s Disability Team Manager

Centre Manager of Hollybank

Specialist Health Visitor

Senior Practitioner Family Based Respite Service

Co-ordinator of Outreach Service for Children’s Disability Team

Early Years and Child Care Services Specialist Service Manager

Representative from Social Work Team (as required)

Representative from Voluntary Sector

Administrator from Children and Young Peoples Division 

Dates and Venue 

The Panel will meet on a monthly basis. The Chair will ensure that dates and venues are set out in advance for the year, and circulated to all panel members and relevant staff. 

In situations where services are needed on an emergency basis, these can be agreed on an interim basis by the relevant Manager in consultation with The Head of Service until the panel next meets to consider the referral. 


2. Making Referrals

Format 

  1. All referrals must be made on the form headed “Children’s Disability Resource Panel Referral Form”

    The Short-term break Eligibility Criteria must be included with the referral form. 
  2. When a child’s case is being presented to panel for the first time an Initial Assessment should be included, for all other cases a review of service should be provided.
  3. A child profile should also be included wherever possible. 

Process 

  1. Social workers or community nurses should forward referrals to The Administrator for The Disability Resource Panel at least five working days before the panel meeting.  
  2. The Administrator will copy the papers and ensure that they are available to the chairperson and panel members in advance of the panel meeting. 
  3. Panel decisions will be recorded by The Disability Resource Panel Administrator and sent to the Chairperson for signature. 
  4. Copies of the completed decision form will then be forwarded to all panel members
  5. The assessing professional will inform families of the decision and if a package of support is agreed depending on resources and availability when it will be implemented and reviewed.  


3. Decision Making and Eligibility Criteria

Decision Making Principles 

The Panel will be making decisions about a variety of packages of care. 

For panel to agree any services it is important that the child or young person’s needs meet the eligibility criteria. The child or young person must have a substantial and permanent disability or have complex health needs.

Additionally, to access any services an assessment of need must have been completed. This assessment will include an assessment of the carers needs, and wherever possible should also include consideration of the child’s wishes and feelings. 

All Panel decisions will aim to promote the best interests of the child or young person, and to assist their parents/carers in their caring role by facilitating short term breaks. 

Disabled children should be given opportunities to lead lives that are as full as possible, and services should seek to mobilise and supplement, rather than replace normal community based provision wherever possible.  Services should aim to support families to continue to care for their children in their family home. 

Eligibility Criteria

The set eligibility criteria enables levels of need to be ascertained in a way that aims to be fair and equitable taking into account both health and social needs and within a framework of available resources.  

Short-Term Breaks 

During the Assessment process, professionals will discuss with families available community based support, which may include Outreach, Direct Payments, Community Nursing Services, Family Based Respite and Respite at Hollybank.

Parental choice will always be considered together with the assessed needs of the child.  


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