Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
The purpose of this report is to seek approval
for the revised Personal Budgets Policy. Providing a Personal
Budget where requested is a duty the council must meet as set out
in the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
RESOLVED that:
i. The Executive Approve the revised Personal Budgets Policy including the revisions outlined in section 1.2 of the report.
ii. The Revised Personal Budgets Policy be published and implemented December 2023.
1. In accordance with the SEND Code of Practice January 2015: Local authorities must provide information on Personal Budgets as part of the Local
Offer. This should include a policy on Personal Budgets that sets out a description of the services across education, health and social care that currently lend themselves to the use of Personal Budgets, how that funding will be made available, and clear and simple statements of eligibility criteria and the decision-making processes.
2. Personal Budgets are optional for the child’s parent or the young person but local authorities are under a duty to prepare a budget when requested. Local authorities must provide information about organisations that may be able to provide advice and assistance to help parents and young people to make informed decisions about Personal Budgets.
3. The child’s parent or the young person has a right to request a Personal Budget, when the local authority has completed an EHC needs assessment and confirmed that it will prepare an EHC Plan. They may also request a Personal Budget during a statutory review of an existing EHC Plan.
4. Personal Budgets should reflect the holistic nature of an EHC Plan and can include funding for special educational, health and social care provision. They should be designed to secure the provision and outcomes specified in the EHC Plan.
As this is a legal requirement alternative options have not been considered.
None
Reason Key: Expenditure >£400,000 & Affects more than 1 ward.;
Financial Impact: Providing a Personal Budget where requested is a duty the council must meet as set out in the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and there are existing provisions for this within Children’s Social Care and Education budgets.
Declarations: None
Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No
Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: People
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Consultation with relevant stakeholders has
already taken place and the Personal Budgets Policy has been
revised in accordance with feedback received.
Consultees
• Bracknell Parent Carer Forum
• Assistant Borough Solicitor
• Head Of Learning Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum
Disorder, Adult Social Care
• Head of SEND and Specialist Support Services, Education
& Learning
• Operational Service Hub Manager
• Finance Hub Manager
• Head of Transformation, Children & Young People, Frimley
Integrated Care Board
Contact: Grainne Siggins, Executive Director People Email: grainne.siggins@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Report author: Grainne Siggins
Publication date: 12/12/2023
Date of decision: 12/12/2023
Decided at meeting: 12/12/2023 - Executive
Effective from: 21/12/2023
Accompanying Documents: