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KIAS and SENDIASS Service Level Agreement

Kirklees KIAS Logo

Introduction

This Agreement specifies the requirements with which KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS will work in the provision of their service to children, young people and parents/carers covering special educational needs and disability, health and social care in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, chapter 2 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Quality Standards for Impartial Information Advice and Support Services.

Background

Part 3 of The Children and Families Act 2014 places a statutory requirement upon the Local Authority to provide information, advice and support.

Additional duties have been placed upon the Local Authority which include:

  1. Provision of Information, Advice and Support to Children and Young People who may have SEND and/or their parents/carers.
  2. Provision of Information, Advice and Support on matters relating to health and social care.
  3. Provision of Information, Advice and Support to children and young people with SEND aged 0 – 25 years old, and/or their parents/carers.

General Purpose of the Service

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall deliver information, advice and support that ranges from initial concerns or identification of potential SEND through to ongoing support and provision which may include an EHCP.
The purpose of the Service is to ensure that children and young people with SEND and/or their parents/carers are provided with the appropriate information, advice and support at the earliest opportunity/appropriate time thus enabling:

  1. Parents and carers to participate fully in any decision making process in regards to the provision of any necessary support for their child;
  2. Parents and carers to participate in a meaningful manner in any consultation, engagement or co-production opportunities with the Local Authority, partner organisations and wider stakeholders;
  3. Children and young people to participate fully in any decision making process in regards to the provision of any necessary support;
  4. Children and young people to participate in a meaningful manner in any consultation, engagement or co-production opportunities with the Local Authority, partner organisations and wider stakeholders.

Relevant Legislation and Guidance for the provision of the Service

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall have regard to guidance, circulars and publications issued by the Department of Education in relation to this service and is responsible for complying with the requirements of all applicable enactments, inclusive of, but not limited to the following:

  • The Children and Families Act 2014 (Part 3, in particular Section 32)
  • The SEND Code of Practice (0-25)
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • The Equalities Act 2010
  • The Care Act 2014
  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012
  • The Education Act 1996
  • The Children Act 1989
  • The Chronically Sick and Disabled Person’s Act 1970
  • The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014
  • The Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) Regulations 2014

 

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall maintain membership of, consult and have regard to the practice standards, guidance, communications and publications of the Information, Advice and Support Services Network.

Generic Core Principles

In delivering the Service, KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall comply with the duties outlined in Chapter 2 of the Code of Practice 2015 and shall adhere to the core principles underpinning the Children and Families Act 2014.

Our Vision

Our ambition for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is the same as for all children and young people – that they achieve well in their early years, at school and in college and lead happy and fulfilled lives. 

To achieve our ambition we will create a 0-25 SEND system that:

  • Enables children and young people to have the best possible start in life and achieve their potential;
  • Supports children, young people and their parents to have high aspirations for the future, raising aspirations by not only thinking about what is possible now but thinking creatively about what could be possible in their life;
  • Ensures that children and young people and their parents are actively involved in planning and decision making, both at an individual and strategic level, and have more choice and control over the support they receive;
  • Provides joined up education, health and social care services, working together to enable children and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes;
  • Ensures children and young people are effectively supported to prepare for adulthood, including employment, independent living, good health and participation in community life.

This vision is reflected in the Kirklees and Calderdale Joint Strategy for SEND.

Outcomes to be Achieved by KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS

  1. Children, young people, parents and carers are provided with the necessary accurate information thus enabling them to play an informed role in the assessment/decision-making process/support planning process, inclusive of selection of services and support mechanisms applicable to their circumstance;
  2. Children, young people, parents and carers feel empowered, knowledgeable, confident and independent;
  3. Children, young people, parent and carers feel respected, listened to and valued – support is personalised, reflective of these needs and wishes;
  4. The right support is delivered at the right time to children and their families, thus maximising their life chances and potential through the provision of early intervention;
  5. Kirklees and Calderdale’s culture is one of resilience and independence, as opposed to one of dependency and lifelong service provision;
  6. Inequalities experienced by children and young people with SEND, and their families, are reduced;
  7. The health and wellbeing of both the child and family are promoted/sustained;
  8. Parents and carers of children and young people with SEND, are able to navigate the Local Offer, and identify support services applicable to their circumstances;
  9. Parents and carers, of children and young people with SEND, understand and feel confident to manage a Personal Budget;
  10. Individualised Person Centred EHCPs which are built upon the direct wishes, needs and aspirations of children and young people with SEND and their families, are formulated and regularly reviewed with a child and family centred focus;
  11. The outcomes and aspirations of children and young people are identified, and the appropriate support mechanisms are employed to achieve these;
  12. Children and young people with SEND are appropriately supported and prepared for the transition to adulthood;
  13. Open, honest and trusted relationships between parents and carers, of children and young people with SEND, and professionals are forged and maintained;
  14. Parents and carers, of children and young people with SEND, work in partnership with professionals, and their respective organisations;
  15. Poor practice is challenged and rectified;
  16. The practice of education, health and social care is in line with legal requirements and statutory duties;
  17. Early conflict resolution is achieved: reduction in the number of complaints and instances of Tribunal, where appropriate;
  18. The services that are commissioned and delivered across Kirklees and Calderdale are reflective of and responsive to local needs and at the most vulnerable;
  19. Children and young people with SEND, and their families, are able to access community based opportunities and services which are of a high quality;
  20. Kirklees’ and Calderdale’s commissioning intentions continue to be based upon a family centred approach though an inclusive and holistic approach.
  21. Parents and carers, of children and young people with SEND, feel confident and able to engage with the local authority, and partner organisations, voice their wishes and co-produce support services and mechanisms.

Confidentiality

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS is required to have a Confidentiality Policy in operation in order to demonstrate its impartiality from the Local Authority. This policy will be reviewed annually and published on both websites.

Exceptional circumstances may arise where KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS are required to disclose information. For the avoidance of doubt these include:

  1. Safeguarding concerns: KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS are required to be fully aware and compliant with Kirklees’ and Calderdale’s Safeguarding and GDPR Policies and Procedures.
  2. Information, which, if disclosed, may prevent a crime.
  3. Information that must be legally disclosed.

Impartiality

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS are required to have an impartiality policy which is reviewed annually and published on the website. To be seen as impartial KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS must:

  • Be located in premises separately from the LA SEND teams and not in the main LA or CCG premises.
  • Have a distinct service identity, logo and style.
  • Have a separate phone number from any other LA service/function.

Service Delivery Plan

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall adhere to and strive to achieve the Minimum Standards as per IASSN and Department of Education guidance at all times. The purpose of the guidance is to shape service delivery and drive for service improvement.

As per Minimum Standards, the provider shall develop a Service Development Plan or SEF.

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS will ensure regular review and update of the Service Delivery Plan or SEF, and share it with the Independent Steering Group.

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS will publish a copy of their Service Development Plan or SEF on both the websites.

Accountability, Reporting and Monitoring

Service Co-ordinator

The KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS Co-ordinator will report directly to the Head of Early Intervention Services in Calderdale with oversight from the Assistant Director for Learning and Skills in Kirklees.

The KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS Co-ordinator will participate in telephone updates and/or attend monthly supervision sessions with the Deputy Assistant Director for Learning and Skills and Head Of Calderdale Early Intervention Services, which will includes discussion in relation, but not solely limited, to:

  1. Service performance
  2. Strategy decisions
  3. Personal development
  4. Service issues
  5. Staffing
  6. Good practice – individual cases will be anonymised in terms of reference to the child/young person with SEND and their families, unless consent to disclose this information is granted
  7. Case study examples
  8. LA’s responsibility to meet statutory requirements
  9. Independent Support

Accountability and Monitoring

KIAS will try to to attend the Vulnerable Children’s Learning Group in order to review the delivery of IASS.

Calderdale SENDIASS will try to attend the termly Accountability and Engagement and Participation meetings.

KIAS shall submit a copy of their Annual Monitoring Report to the Learning Board and Portfolio Holder Briefing for consideration.

KIAS shall develop and regularly review a Staff Training Plan, with engagement from parents and carers and staff and volunteers, as per Minimum Standards publication.

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS will continue to submit their monthly statistic results for new referrals.

Supervision

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS will continue to follow the Local Authority agreed Supervision Policy.

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall ensure that all staff and volunteers acting on their behalf are in receipt of routine regular supervision and support.

Independent Support

It is anticipated KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS will ensure all staff including volunteers complete level 1-3 Legal training within 12 months of taking up their post as compliant with minimum standards.

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS is encouraged to undertake an application for additional funding opportunities via The Council of Disabled Children in relation to appointment of additional Independent Supporters.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall ensure that all staff and volunteers, regardless of their role or responsibilities within the provision of the service, have undertaken a Criminal Record’s check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before commencing their role, evidence of which will be presented to Kirklees Council or Calderdale MBC on request.

Complaints

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall operate a comprehensive, fair and accessible Complaints Procedure in relation to its own service provision only for the following persons:

  1. Children and young people, parents and carers;
  2. Any persons (including professional) working with KIAS or Calderdale SENDIASS
    Upon request, the Provider shall promptly provide a copy of their Compliments, Comments and Complaints Procedure to any person.

 

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall discuss all compliments and complaints directed in the first instance to the Manager and then within the joint Steering Group Meeting.

KIAS and Calderdale SENDIASS shall review its Compliments, Comments and Complaints Policy on an Annual basis. Any changes to documentation will be approved in the first instance by the joint Steering Group Meeting.