These slides walk you through our current understanding on Independent Supporters.

1. “Disabled children and young people with
special educational needs and their
families are supported through the SEN
and Disability reforms in order to improve
outcomes and better life chances.”

2. Independent Supporters
£30 Million to train independent
supporters (aka SEN Champions)
Code of Practice
Section 3.3:
[W]here requested by parents or young people seeking an EHC
plan, and subject to availability, the offer of an Independent
Supporter – a trained, independent individual from the voluntary
or private sector, to help them through the statutory process, from
requesting an assessment through to the agreement of the EHC
plan and any associated personal budget.

3. £30 Million to train independent
supporters (aka SEN Champions)
• Approximately 1,800 people.
• An average of 12 to cover each local area.
• Drawn from community, independent and voluntary
organisations.
• The majority of funds will go to voluntary, community or
private organisations to deliver IS
• Parent partnership services will also receive funding to
develop capacity and support the IS programme
Independent Supporters

4. £30 Million to train independent
supporters (aka SEN Champions)
Catering for young people and the parents of children
being assessed for an EHC plan. This will include:
• New entrants to the system
• Children with a statement converting to an EHC plan
• Young people with an LDA converting to a plan
Independent Supporters

5. £30 Million to train independent
supporters (aka SEN Champions)
The initial training for Independent Supporters will include:
• Training on the SEND reforms
• Working with families and understanding their
perspective
• Working with young people and understanding their
perspective
• Working constructively with professionals
They will receive continuing supervision and support
Independent Supporters

6. The Council for Disabled Children
(CDC) will:
• Trial the training, recruitment and funding allocation
through the spring period
• Invite applications from community, independent and
private organisations who consider that they have
personnel who could take on independent supporter
roles.
Independent Supporters

7. The “Big Idea”
• Providing totally independent advice.
• Provide a new resource alongside Parent Partnership
Services and local authorities.
And
• Help families access services.
• Give families one-to-one time to help them support the
new SEN assessment system.
• Support families through each step.
• Help local authorities to understand the needs of
families.
Independent Supporters

8. We have to address:
• Potential overlap with Key Workers
• Sustainability
• Time limited Key workers may be involved in
individual casework, informal
advocacy, supporting families in
attending meetings, contributing
to assessments and reviews, and
participating in decisions about
outcomes for the child or young
person.
Independent Supporters

9. Who can apply?
Private, voluntary or community organisations can apply.
They must be able to demonstrate their experience in:
• Supporting families and/or young people
• Working in partnership locally
• Recruiting, supporting and supervising staff and
volunteers
Independent Supporters

10. THE TIMESCALE
Evidence and Build Phase
• Testing and gathering evidence on effective models
March to June 2014
• Tender and produce contracts for a July 2014 start date
Independent Supporters

11. THE TIMESCALE
Evidence and Build Phase
CDC are seeking to procure and appoint up to 12 PPS to
provide us with innovative and practice based proposals on
how they could support the development of Independent
Supporters through their service.
CDC would also be seeking PPS to be part of an
Independent Support training pilot.
Independent Supporters

12. THE TIMESCALE
Evidence and Build Phase
In the evidence and build phase, CDC are seeking to
procure and appoint up to 13 VCS&P organisations to use
their expertise and knowledge to provide us with evidence
in the following areas:
A report containing evidence of local practice and
what works well in supporting families and young
people with SEN and disabilities to make choices in
accessing services and support.
Independent Supporters

13. THE TIMESCALE
Evidence and Build Phase
In the evidence and build phase, CDC are seeking to
procure and appoint up to 13 VCS&P organisations to use
their expertise and knowledge to provide us with evidence
in the following areas:
Evidence on what works well from a parent carer
perspective to make choices in accessing services
and support
Independent Supporters

14. THE TIMESCALE
Evidence and Build Phase
In the evidence and build phase, CDC are seeking to
procure and appoint up to 13 VCS&P organisations to use
their expertise and knowledge to provide us with evidence
in the following areas:
Evidence on what works well from a young people’s
perspective to make choices in accessing services
and support
Independent Supporters

15. THE TIMESCALE
Phase 1
• Main contracts awarded in July/August 2014 to
organisations that will host IS up until 31 March 2015
• Review of working models in Phase 1 completed March
2015
Independent Supporters

16. THE TIMESCALE
Phase 2
• Based on outcomes of the review in Phase 1 - main
contracts awarded or extended to organisations to host
IS for a further year until 31 March 2016.
Independent Supporters

17. The Council For Disabled Children will:
• Publish selection criteria
• Invite independent organisations to be part of the
selection panel for awarding contracts
• Set up a working group to contribute to and inform
planning
• Communicate and engage with:
• families and young people
• local authorities
• other relevant organisations
Independent Supporters

18. The Council For Disabled Children will:
Independent Supporters
Activity to be undertaken Proposed date of activity
Public tender launch 3 March 2014
Tender window 3 March – 17 March (2 weeks)
Tender closes 17 March
Panel meetings 20/21 March
Short list reached 21 March (by close of play)
Clarification meetings
(if required)
Period: 24 and 25 March and 26 and 27 March
Contracts awarded No later than 27 March
Contract/KPI/negotiations period Period: 27 March – 2 April
Contracts signed No later than 4 April
Work commences No later than 7 April
Work ends 16 June 2014

19. The Tender Document:
http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/independ
entsupport
Independent Supporters

20. The Tender Document:
http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/independ
entsupport
Independent Supporters