Having access to good quality, effective support is important in helping drive improved outcomes for children with disabilities and their families, that’s why Derbyshire County Council Childrens Services Commissioning Team have worked with the Children with Disabilities Team to put in place a service that supports children, young people and their families across a range of support types.
Once an assessment has taken place and support levels have been agreed, children, young people and families will have the option to choose a commissioned service which can be managed by Childrens Services Commissioning and Social Care in conjunction with children, young people and families directly to provide a holistic approach to ensuring that services meet individual needs.
For each child, young person and family that select a commissioned service we can:
- Provide a referral to providers detailing the level of support required and outlining the individual needs, likes, personality and requirements of each child/young person.
- Search the available market to look for the provider with best fit.
- Liaise with child/young people and families to select the most appropriate provider and put the provider in touch with children/young people and families.
- Create an individual child contract between the Council and the Provider to ensure the provider meets the specific individual needs and requirements.
- Raise any issues and concerns on your behalf with the provider directly to improve service delivery.
- Review levels of support and adjust appropriately.
The framework of providers
The framework has a variety of Providers available on it that have been through a recruitment and vetting process and are constantly assessed.
The framework consists of 4 different elements (known as Lots) that deliver the following types of support:
- Community Based Befriending and Mentoring Service
- Overnight Short Breaks for Providers that Operate a specific Overnight Premises
- Group Care
- Home Care
The framework will be in place for 6 years and new providers will be added throughout that period to improve access across Derbyshire.
If a Commissioned Service is not the preferred option
Young people and parents or carers
You can contact providers directly and make your own arrangements.
Be very clear about the service you want, when and where you want it and what you want to achieve.
It's a good idea to sign an agreement which describes the service that will be provided and how much you'll pay.
If you have a direct payment or a personal budget check with your social worker first to make sure they agree that the support meets your needs.
Limitations of the framework
We can assure you that the framework is provided with all reasonable care and skill (for example, by us reasonably assessing that the framework providers meet certain quality standards). We don't make any other promises or warranties about the services provided by any service provider under the framework.
It remains the responsibility of parents, carers or professionals to check that the service being offered by a framework provider is appropriate and meets the needs of the child or young person concerned.
Other than through our negligence or breach of statutory duty, we will not accept any liability arising out of the use of information obtained through the framework, or any liability arising from employing a framework provider.
If a problem does occur it is important that you register your concern as soon as possible and we will investigate the issue further.
Contact us
If you think your child or young person may meet the requirements for support please contact Starting Point.
If you have already been assessed and would like to know more about the Short Breaks and Respite Framework please contact your allocated Social Worker.