Care and respite for families of children with complex needs

Summary

The request sought data on respite and care services for school-age children with complex needs, to which Manx Care provided waitlist figures and capacity details for specific centers but refused to disclose data on home-based services as it is not held by the authority.

Key Facts

• There are 18 children currently waiting for respite services across Braddan Hub and Ramsey Respite Centre.
• Waitlist reasons include capacity constraints and the time required to train staff in specialist healthcare skills.
• Manx Care does not hold data on home-based care services as these are not provided directly by the authority.
• One child supported by Rebecca House is currently open to the Children with Disabilities team.
• Manx Care does not approve or recommend private agencies, though it commissions some providers.

Data Disclosed

• 24
• 74 total
• 9
• 3
• 4
• 2
• 18 total
• 1 child
• 2024-07-23
• 2024-07-30
• 4006817

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)a of the Act (Practical refusal: information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps)

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 (2)

Full Response Text

Ramsey Respite Centre 24 74 total

Biii) The current number of children awaiting services is:- Setting Number Service waiting for Braddan Hub 9 After school Ramsey Respite Centre 3 Overnight respite 4 Outreach 2 Pre-school sessions 18 total

Reasons for the wait lists are capacity, or specialist health care training required and the timeframes of having the staff team trained in these specialist skills.

c) We do not have any home based care services within Children & Families Services, however children supported by Rebecca House can access this care at home. There may also be occasions that Manx Care needs to commission services where the care needs are such that without such services, the child would be at risk.

Ci) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Care is unable to provide the information 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. This data is not held, as these services are not provided by Manx Care. I would suggest that you contact Rebecca House directly.

Cii) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Care is unable to provide the information 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. Manx Care do not hold the data as to how many children access the services from Rebecca House. There is currently 1 child supported by nursing care within Rebecca House, who is open to the Children with Disabilities team.

d) Manx Care do not approve or recommend private agencies to families, however we have engaged in contracts with some providers who are commissioned to provide care.

Please quote the reference number 4006817 in any future communications.

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