Commissioning for ASD/SEMH

Finding commissioning solutions for young people with Autism or a Social, Emotional, and Mental Health need

Multicoloured hands reaching upwards, in a line

This project is aiming to improve outcomes in London for children and young people with Autism, a Learning Disability, and/or a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) need who are also Looked After Children or at risk of significant family breakdown and/or unplanned hospital admission. Provision for children with these high cost low incidence (HCLI) needs adds to the financial pressure on LA budgets and does not always support those children to achieve the best outcomes. 

LIIA commissioned the National Children’s Bureau to undertake phase 1 of the project, resulting in a report which you can download below. Phase 2 of the project is currently in development.

Project Goals

This project will allow us to better understand the experiences of these children to develop commissioning solutions and practice guidance which prioritises prevention of avoidable crisis, and better support for children and young people who present in crisis at services across the system.

Governance

This project reports into the Pan-London Placements Commissioning Panel. The project is led by Angela Elliott (Assistant Director Strategy, Commissioning & Policy Safeguarding and Family Support, at Islington) and Dan Stoten (Director of Integrated Children’s Commissioning and Youth Services London Borough of Lambeth & NHS South East London Integrated Care System).