Blanket policy challenged: education placement agreed

We supported a person who has profound and multiple learning disability and whose Education, Health and Care Plan had ended without sufficient support agreed, including education as well as care and support.

A woman being supported and holding hands

The local authority appeared to have a blanket policy in place prohibiting the funding of education placements under the Care Act 2014.

Adult social care cannot exclude a placement merely because it has an educational component where that provision may also be required to meet assessed Care Act needs.

Each case must be assessed on it’s own facts. Blanket policies can often risk preventing proper consideration of what is required to meet a person’s eligible needs.

Access Social Care Involvement

Access Social Care challenged this apparent blanket policy through a pre-action letter and, following various cross departmental meetings, the local authority agreed to fund the education placement pending work on long term arrangements.

This was a great outcome for our client. Our team continued to support the client to secure appropriate care hours and respite support for home.

If you are concerned about similar issues, or policies which appear to be blanket policies, please do get in touch with us for advice.

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If you have similar queries, please do get in touch on enquiries@accesscharity.org.uk