What is Continuing Care for children and young people?
Continuing Care is the name given to care for children and young people with complex needs that cannot be met by existing services in their community. This could be as a result of a disability, accident or illness.
The National Framework for Children and Young People’s Continuing Care sets out how children and young people eligible for Continuing Care should be supported by the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Local Authority.
The Framework is clear that the needs of children and young people are best met using a joined-up approach between health, social care and education. This allows those with complex needs to live as ordinary a life as possible in relation to their needs.
What types of continuing care are available?
Resources required can vary depending on your child’s needs, but they may include:
- Support at home
- Support in the community
- Short breaks
- Other revelant support to meet the child's needs as identified
You may discuss what you feel your child requires with your child’s health professional or social worker.
How is Continuing Care eligibility decided?
Once a referral is received by either a professional working with your child or by yourself an arrangement will be made to meet with you to complete an assessment which will determine whether your child is eligible for Continuing Care.
The assessment will be completed by a qualified health professional who is specialised in the area of your child’s needs. The social worker/family practitioner and other relevant professionals will also be invited to attend.
If your child is found not to be eligible for Continuing Care, a clear explanation of the reason for this decision will be given. If this happens, any care needs will be met by existing services.
The Continuing Care Commissioning Panel
The panel meets every month and includes clinical advisors, children’s commissioners and senior managers across health, education and social care.
The panel is chaired by the Senior Commissioner at Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group.
Your child’s assessment and relevant information will be presented to panel members by the lead professional who knows your child well. The panel will make a decision regarding eligibility and a discussion will take place about the package of care that your child needs.
Once in place, the level of support will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it continues to meet your child’s needs.
What to expect
You will be contacted by your Local Authority worker to arrange a convenient time to complete the assessment as your views and feelings are central to this process.
You will be informed about when the panel will hear about your child’s needs and you will be informed as soon as possible of the panel decision.
Disputing decisions
f you wish to dispute the outcome of the decision support tool, details of how to appeal will be included in the outcome letter that will be sent to you to enable you to follow NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group’s complaints process.
Transition pathway between Continuing Care for Children and Young People and Continuing Healthcare for Adults
Contact
For more information or to have an informal discussion about this process, please contact The Warrington Continuing Healthcare Team on 01925 843697
