Health Minister has today announced plans to
improve services for children with disabilities.
The plans involve increasing short breaks capacity and expanding
family, therapeutic and behavioural supports in the
community.
They will be supported by up to £13m a year in additional
multi-year funding, including up to £2m for the rest of the
current financial year.
Mr Nesbitt said: “There has been increased demand for family
support, short breaks, residential care and transitions support
across services for children with disabilities. For some time,
demand has outstripped supply with a substantial number of
families on waiting lists and a growing number of children on the
edge of care.
“With a shortfall in residential placements, Trusts have been
repurposing short breaks units for longer term residential
placements. As a result, short breaks services across much of
Northern Ireland have been unavailable.
“I have been clear that the situation is not sustainable. I
believe the funding I have announced will deliver improvements in
a matter of months. I expect clear and measurable improvements in
short breaks, but this is also about providing a much greater
level of support in the family home.
“Making additional funding available will not deliver expanded
services by itself. We will also need to have sufficient levels
of staffing. A combined effort between statutory and voluntary
sector partners will be required.”
The Minister also stated: “The plans are being announced today
despite the very severe pressures on the health budget. Having
assessed the options, I have concluded that not releasing this
funding would be tantamount to a catastrophic cut to services –
something I have promised to avoid.”
Mr Nesbitt said gaps in short breaks provision had become an
increasing issue of concern for his Department and the wider HSC
system.
“My officials have progressed a significant body of work to
develop a Framework for Children with Disabilities for HSC
Trusts. The full implementation of this will require sustained
investment and workforce development over the next several years.
However, the scale of this challenge should not deter us
delivering better solutions and outcomes today.
“I pay tribute to the recent Spotlight documentary 'I Am Not
Okay' which highlighted the unacceptable current situation very
effectively.
“In discussions with my Department, Trusts have highlighted the
scale of the challenges in delivering services, which will take
time and investment to address. However, I am pleased to report
each Trust indicated that several supports could be rapidly
expanded to provide the space for medium term actions to improve
short breaks capacity.”
