From Lynne Barton: Co-ordinating Manager, Integrated Disability Service

Warwickshire County Council, South, North Warwickshire and Rugby Primary Care Trusts have embraced family opinions on the need for more ‘joined up’ services following a Best Value Review of service delivery for disabled children and young people. Guided by parents/carers the services provided would aim to be holistic, co-ordinated and improve outcomes for families. Key elements of this integrated approach briefly include the allocation of a Key Worker, a dedicated professional who would offer ongoing support to an individual family and link necessary services together, records held by the family, family service planning, an integrated system for reviews, shared information and a joint assessment of family needs. 

In order to pursue the review’s recommendations, Peter Limbrick, an Independent Consultant was engaged to further ascertain parental views on a model of fully integrated provision. An integrated service would bring together partners in health, education, social care and the voluntary sector. 

This article details some of the main points of his findings.

Background

1500 brochures containing a ‘pull out’ questionnaire and describing elements of planned future integration of services were distributed via the following avenues:

Education - All Special Schools, DISCS, SEN Pre School Service, 

Health – Rugby Child Development Centre, Whitestone Child and Family Centre, Rugby Health Visiting Team, Warwick Child Development Centre, South Warwickshire Portage Service, Community Children’s Nurses, Stratford Parents Group, CAHMS

Social Care – Disability Social Work Teams

Voluntary sector - Warwickshire Children’s Fund (NCH), Leamington Parents Centre (NCH), ILEAP, Take a Break, WMAS parent support contacts, Parent Partnership Service

A general press release was issued and Rugby local radio responded. 

Peter Limbrick made himself available to meet parents and carers individually and in groups, they were also able to respond by email, fax, letter, questionnaire or telephone.

The Consultant reported that parent’s comments were constructive and helpful; many expressed the view that the meetings arranged gave them a unique or rare opportunity to ‘air’ some important issues.

Findings:

• Views on an Integrated Service: The majority of parents/carers saw the integration of services as ‘just common sense’ and valued the idea of everyone working together. Some doubted it could happen, expressed concern regarding confidentiality and felt some parents may feel overwhelmed by the service.

• Views on Parental Participation: A nucleus of parents wished to be involved in developing the service. Information requested via a newsletters, home visits, meetings with decision makers and Parental Forums.

• Views on Joint Assessment: Approval for multi agency integrated assessment. Some negative experiences of the assessment process reported.

• Views on a Key Worker System: Strong approval for an allocated Key Worker. Reservations expressed regarding funding, professional overload and continuity of support.

• Views on Family Held Records and Service Plans:  Multi agency family held records welcomed and parents had clear ideas on what should be included. There was strong approval for service planning.

Copies of the complete report printed in January 2005 and entitled ‘A Better Life – with – Better Services’ can be obtained from:

The Project Administrator

Integrated Service

Stoneleigh Deer Park

Unit 21

Stareton

Warwickshire

CV8 2LY.

Tel 02476 511496    

E-mail: lynnebarton@warwickshire.gov.uk