Recommendation 4 update
Recommendation 4:
Local area partnership leaders should ensure that they share accurate data across health, education and social care to support rigorous and effective self-evaluation and inform joint commissioning.
What we wanted:
An Area Partnership Outcomes Framework and joint data dashboard to inform wider commissioning and delivery priorities.
What we did:
- the MSE Business Intelligence team and Southend-on-Sea City Council (SCC) Data Teams developed a joint SEND dashboard covering a variety of metrics sourced from partner organisations. This is routinely shared with SEND&AP Strategic Partnership Board
- reporting includes key insights and oversight for scrutiny and challenge
- completed the SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and self-evaluation, giving focus to the impact of service delivery, risks and challenges and area priorities
- increased collaboration across education, health, and social care through the creation of a Joint Commissioning Group
- held half termly meetings with SCC and EPUT (Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) Therapy teams to audit, monitor and track statutory therapy provision in EHC plans
- created an Area Partnership outcomes framework
- contracts relating to Tier 2 Mental Health services commissioned for 25/26 include mandatory requirements for SEND
The difference it made:
- the local area partnership are able to effectively assess the current and future health, care and wellbeing needs of children and young people in Southend to inform decision making and resource planning
- commissioning arrangements are well informed by accurate local area needs analysis
- the local area partnership has oversight of the children and young people with the highest levels of need and at risk of escalation
Priorities for 2025-26:
- annual refresh of the area partnership self-evaluation and SEND JSNA to refine priorities
- changes to CAMHS contracts will be required with updated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 26/27 contracts