Issue - meetings

(a)       That the purpose of the Transition Service be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee recognised the action taken to reduce local college costs and encourage further efforts to achieve more resilience within the 21 Century Schools Programme.

The Senior Manager – Integrated Services and Lead Adults introduced a report to provide information on the function and purpose of the Transition Team for young people with Disabilities in Flintshire.  She advised that the report used case examples to illustrate how the Team worked and to demonstrate positive outcomes delivered for young people.  The report also identified key challenges for the Service where there are increasing numbers of younger people with complex needs.  The Senior Manager invited the Service Manager, Disability, Progression and Recovery, to present the case studies.

            Councillor Dave Mackie queried the costs for residential and non-residential placements and expressed concerns around the proposed increase in placement costs in the future.  He referred to the information provided in the report which gave an example of college placement costs and asked if a comparative data on local residential and non-residential provision could be provided.  Councillor Mackie also asked about respite provision.   The Senior Manager – Integrated Services and Lead Adults explained that if a young person went to a local college respite could be provided through a variety of ways.

In response to a question from Councillor Hilary McGuill concerning the payment of Direct Payments to young people who attend a residential college, the Service Manager, Disability, Progression and Recovery, explained that the only Direct Payment the young person received was for respite during the Summer holiday period.

Councillor McGuill asked if the Service was working with Northop Horticultural College and Deeside College to provide out of hours activities and fund this as an internal service.  The Service Manager, Disability, Progression and Recovery, explained that the Service was working with Northop College to develop ways to reduce costs and advised that the College had agreed to employ a person which would reduce the amount of personal care which the Service would have to provide to support students..

In response to a further question from Councillor McGuill regarding sex education, the Service Manager, Disability, Progression and Recovery, explained that Community Nurses generally had the expertise and resources to provide sex education to young people in colleges and schools.

Councillor Marion Bateman commented that there should not be a

financial benefit for the parents of young people who go to residential college.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin commented on the 21st Century Schools programme and said there was a need to look at the education strategy alongside the transition strategy. 

In response to the comments and concerns raised by Members the Chief Officer explained that the Authority had done all it could to encourage young people, parents, to use the local colleges and facilities but ultimately  individuals had freedom of choice.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the purpose of the Transition Service be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee recognised the action taken to reduce local college costs and encourage further efforts to achieve more resilience within the 21 Century Schools Programme.