Guidance

Context

Context

It is important that education, health and social care services work together to effectively meet the changing needs of disabled children and young people with severe complex needs. But there are a variety of challenges to doing so.

The lives of disabled children and young people with severe complex needs can be improved by education, health and social care services that:

  • are joined-up

  • are tailored to the needs of the individual child or young person

  • involve children and young people in decisions about their education, health and social care

  • involve families and carers in decisions about their child's education, health and social care

  • incorporate support for families and carers.

This guideline focuses on delivering integrated education, health and social care services. It is designed to help local authorities, health commissioners, and education, health and social care providers and practitioners to implement the special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice in order to improve outcomes for this group of children and young people and their families and carers.

The guideline covers disabled children and young people with severe complex needs who:

  • need coordinated education, health and social care support because of their severe and complex needs and

  • are eligible for an education, health and care plan, in line with the Children and Families Act 2014.

The guideline does not make recommendations specific to particular disabilities or health conditions.

The guideline includes recommendations on:

  • involving children, young people and their families in their care

  • communication and providing information

  • planning and running meetings with children and young people

  • identifying needs

  • education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment and EHC plans

  • support and training for parents and carers

  • social participation

  • transition

  • palliative and end of life care

  • environmental adaptations

  • employment

  • working culture

  • training for practitioners

  • service organisation

  • joint working and integrated support

  • joint commissioning.