On Wednesday 9 March, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published new guidance titled 'Disabled children and young people up to 25 with severe complex needs: integrated service delivery and organisation across health, social care and education'.
The guidance covers support for disabled children and young people with severe complex needs, from birth to 25 years. It aims to encourage education, health and social care services to work together and provide more coordinated support to children and young people, and their families and carers.
The guidance includes recommendations on:
- Principles for working with all disabled children and young people with severe complex needs and their families
- Identifying needs and involving other services
- Education, health and care needs assessments and plans
- Personal budgets and direct payments
- Improving access to social activities
- Supporting parents and carers
- Transition from children’s to adults’ services
- Organising services, including working culture, training, and running joint services
It also covers specialist support for disabled children and young people with particular needs:
- Palliative and end of life care
- Communication aids
- Environmental adaptations
- Travel training
- Employment
You can read the guidance below.