Homecare & respite for special, complex & additional needs

Summary

A request was made for statistics on homecare and respite services for school-age children with complex needs, but the Department of Health and Social Care refused to provide the information.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold the requested information.
• The information is likely held by Manx Care due to the separation of policy and service delivery.
• The Department was redesigned on 1 April 2021 following Sir Jonathan Michael's Independent Review.
• The requester is advised to re-submit the request to Manx Care.
• The request was closed on 22 July 2024.

Data Disclosed

• 3997921
• 2024-07-23
• 22 July 2024
• 1 April 2021
• Section 11(3)a

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Act (Information not held)

Original Request

Please could you provide - a) the number of child/ren with complex need cases open with children with disabilities social worker team (school age) b) the out of home respite services available for school age open cases with above team bi) the capacity of these services bii) the current number of children accessing these services biii) the waitlist numbers and reasoning c) the home based care services available for school age open cases with above team ci) the capacity of these services cii) the current number of children accessing these services d) is there any private services that is approved/recommended by the team provide either home based or out of home respite for school age children with complex needs?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Officer: Paul Richardson Freedom of Information Team First Floor Belgravia House Circular Road Douglas IM1 1AE

Our ref: 3997921 22 July 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 23 July 2024, which states:

"Please could you provide -

a) the number of child/ren with complex need cases open with children with disabilities social worker team (school age)

b) the out of home respite services available for school age open cases with above team
bi) the capacity of these services
bii) the current number of children accessing these services
biii) the waitlist numbers and reasoning

c) the home based care services available for school age open cases with above team
ci) the capacity of these services
cii) the current number of children accessing these services

d) is there any private services that is approved/recommended by the team provide either home based or out of home respite for school age children with complex needs?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested as it may be held by Manx Care.

You may wish to re-submit your request to Manx Care which is an option available on the Freedom of Information request portal, who may be able to help you.

To provide advice and assistance, the Department of Health and Social Care redesigned on 1 April 2021 as a direct result of Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Man Health and Care System. This Review continues to be a

catalyst for change and improved service provision. The redesigned Department
ensures the separation between the setting of policy and strategy and the
delivery of services by Manx Care.

Please quote the reference number 3997921 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.