Oldham Council, through Department for
Education (DfE) Opportunity Area grant funding, have developed a
bid to improve the early identification of special educational
needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This project is
called the Early identification of Need project and Oldham is one
of three other areas to receive this additional funding.
Grant funding was confirmed by the DfE on 13 December 2021.
The overall ASD Diagnosis Support Service is delivered within scope
of a contract with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust who
sub-contract an element of delivery to Parents of Oldham in Touch
(POINT). This also supports Oldham’s coproduction and
partnership principles. ASD primary need accounts for c.35% of the
EHC plans maintained by Oldham Council, and continues to increase
locally and nationally.
An additional grant of £30,000 has been identified for
pre-diagnostic support work as part of the Early Identification of
Need Project. It is proposed this is delivered by POINT under the
arrangements outlined above as this would strengthen and extend the
existing offer to Oldham families. The current offer in Oldham
already exceeds the GM agreed minimum standards, and this
opportunity would benefit Oldham families further.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 17/05/2022
Decision due: 18 Jan 2022 by Managing Director Children and Young People (DCS), Director of Education, Skills & Early Years
Lead member: Cabinet Member - Children and Young People and Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member - Education and Skills
Contact: Elizabeth Taylor, Commissioning and Partnerships Officer Email: Elizabeth.Taylor@oldham.gov.uk Email: elizabeth.taylor@oldham.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Consulted with Finance, Procurement, Legal and
HR colleagues. As part of the co-operative agenda going forward,
working with VCSFE partners is a core element within Oldham’s
co-production principles.