Agenda item

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which presented the Capital Funding Plan to support the delivery of Halton’s short break programme to meet the requirements of the Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme.

            The Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme was a national initiative to enable more disabled young people to engage in social activities within their local community. The programme also aimed to provide their parents/carers with a break from their caring responsibilities. In 2008/9 Halton made a successful bid for Pathfinder status, and were one of 20 nationally and two in the North West. During 2008/9 a number of measures were put in place to test out some new activities for children and to build partnerships with local and national providers of short break services.

            Members were advised that there had been significant grant funding made available to local authorities by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to improve short break services for disabled children and their families. The funding stream included revenue and capital grants. The report related only to the capital element of the funding outlined in the report. Revenue funding was the subject of a separate commissioning progress.

            Members were further advised that consultation with disabled children and young people and their families had been a major focus in the development of the planning for short break services, including the capital spending plan. The views of disabled young people and their families were sought through the “Powerful Voices” Conference along with a consultation leaflet that was sent out to all families with a child with additional needs. The consultation established the types of activities and practical support families would want to use.

            It was noted that families of disabled children had told the Council that they wanted more support after school, at weekends and in school holidays, so they that could have a break when they were under the greatest amount of stress.

            It was further noted that disabled children had told us that they wanted to do the same things that other young people did. They wanted to participate in sporting activities, primarily for pleasure but also to join in local and national competitions. For those with potential, they wanted to be able to compete in Paralympics events. The children also wanted to have somewhere where they could meet friends that a safe, adapted and “home-like” space that was available during school holidays, events and weekends.

            Members were advised that the Capital Funding attached to the programme had been made available to Local Authorities to support the delivery of the short break programme in recognition of the need for a specialist provision over and above that required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Capital Funding spending plan had been developed following consultation with children and young people and their families and in accordance with the DCSF Guidelines. The proposed spending plan for Halton’s allocation of Capital Funding was as follows:

Halton AHDC Capital Allocation

2008/9                        £85,600

2009/10                      £199,600

            The Board was advised of the creation of two resource bases, one in Runcorn and one in Widnes that would provide bases with the specialist equipment required, particularly for those young people with very complex needs. The bases would be available for use by individuals and groups in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays. It was envisaged that the resource could be used for overnight stays by some young people with their personal assistants. Whilst the base in Runcorn had been identified, the options for possible locations in Widnes were currently being scoped.

            Members were advised that funds would be used to purchase 10 specialist sports wheelchairs to enable young people to participate in sporting activities throughout the Borough. Some of the wheelchairs would be based in the Tennis Centre and Leisure Centres, with others available at Chesnut Lodge School to be transported to a range of venues locally and nationally to support young people who may be involved in competition events. The initiative was being developed together with Halton Sports Partnership.

            Members were further advised that funding would also be used to provide enhanced disabled toileting facilities and play equipment in the new play parks being developed as part of the Play Builder Programme. This would enable more disabled children to use the facilities in their local parks, together with their siblings and peers.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       the contents of the report be noted; and

(2)       the Executive Board recommend to Council that the draft Spending Plan outlined in the report be approved.