CN220350 - Therapies: SEN, Adoption Support Service and VSK (previously SC21032)

SEN Therapies (Lot 1)

The Council recognises that SEN therapy service providers have an important role in improving a child or young person's (CYP's) participation in learning experiences and access to curriculum opportunities and outcomes for our children who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. The Council aims to establish a relational contracting approach with providers on the Qualified Provider List (QPL) that will:

• recognise the interdependencies between local authorities, service providers, Ofsted and other stakeholders;

• facilitate co operation, shared learning and improvement;

• enable the Council to anticipate and respond quickly to the changing needs of CYP with an EHC plan;

• support joint working between the Council's education services and therapy service providers to help improve outcomes for CYP with an EHC plan;

• help ensure sufficiency and suitability of therapy provision tailored to the current and anticipated needs of CYP with an EHC plan; and

• ensure fairness in commercial arrangements between commissioners and providers, with transparency of prices.

Adoption Support Service (Lot 2)

The Adoption Support Fund (ASF) has been established to help adoptive families access the services they need more easily. The ASF provides funds to local authorities (LAs) and Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs) to pay for essential therapeutic services for eligible adoptive families and families with a Special Guardianship Order (SGO). The aim of the ASF and the support it funds is to:

• improve outcomes for young people and families;

• improve the core adoption/SGO support offered to families; and

• build the evidence base so that interventions demonstrate their effectiveness and value for money.

Virtual Schools Kent (Lot 3)

Virtual School Head Teachers (VSHs) are responsible for promoting the educational achievement of children looked after by the local authority. For some young people, a therapeutic approach or intervention may be required to support access to, or engagement with, education.

Kent Children in Care (CiC), aged 3 to 18, are supported by Virtual School Kent (VSK). Pupil Premium Plus (PP+), Post 16 Pupil Premium Plus (P16PP+), or Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) funding can be used to pay for activities that:

a) improve the learning targets in children's Personal Education Plans (PEPs); and

b) encourage CiC to be more involved in and interested in their education.