To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 18330/22-27, for an update on the specific interventions to support families of children with complex needs that will be delivered from the £13 million investment announced in October 2024.

On 23rd October 2024, I was pleased to be able to approve additional regional funding for the Children with Disability service across all HSC Trusts of up to £13m a year in multi-year funding, including up to £2m for the rest of the current financial year.

It is intended that this additional funding will assist with increasing the current short breaks capacity, and expanding family, therapeutic and behavioural supports in the community across all HSC Trusts.

In terms of the distribution of funding this has been agreed that it would be split per a capitation model based on population size.

At this time, the DoH’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group has reviewed Trusts Prioritisation Proposals related to the £13 million investment. The proposed action plans that have been submitted will assist in alleviating some of the current pressures experienced within the Children with Disability Service.

Each Trust is currently in the process of working with the DoH to complete the Business Cases for the final prioritisation proposals, in order to allow the allocation of funding. My Department and Health & Social Care Trusts continue to work collaboratively and at pace in terms of progressing matters.

In relation to the short-term action plans – there are various initiatives across multiple trusts to improve family and community support services for Children with Disability ranging from enhancing short break provision to expanding targeted care programs. Collectively, the Trust plans aim to meet the short-term priorities, such as increasing short break provision and delivering tailored family support services.

In addition, the Trusts do have plans to increase contracts with a range of voluntary and community services to provide additional family support, or breaks from caring through youth club type provision, after school clubs and enhanced opportunities for socialisation and personal development.

Until the procurement process is completed and matters finalised – it would not be appropriate to provide all detail regarding the proposed organisations that the Trusts intend to use to provide support.