Have your say on integrated services guidance for disabled children

2 mins read

Thursday 5 August 2021

Tags: NICE, consultation, integrated services, health care, education support

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is consulting on draft guidance for delivering and organising joined-up services for disabled children and young people from birth to 25 with severe complex needs. The guidelines will apply to England only.

Families have until 14 September to have their say on a series of recommendations on ways to work with children and families when organising integrated health, care, and education services. 

Once published, the NICE guidance, while not mandatory, will be treated as ‘best practice’. Professionals will be expected to take them fully into account when exercising their professional and clinical judgement. 

Recommendations include: 

  • Putting the views, life goals and ambitions of the disabled child or young person with severe, complex needs at the centre of planning and decision-making.
  • Ensuring communication and information is provided in an accessible format to children and young people. 
  • Making sure families get clear information on eligibility criteria for services and information in advance of meetings in accessible formats.
  • Ensuring children, young people and carers are involved in commissioning services. 

The consultation closes at 5pm on 14 September. To take part, visit the NICE guidance consultation page.

See also the easy read guide to NICE consultation and recommendations