New model for individual budgets

The model aims to help local authorities and children's trusts offer individual budgets and personalised care for children, young people and families in order to improve outcomes.

The model is part of the three-year Commissioning Support Programme that is designed to improve commissioning practice in children's services and is based on the work of 22 children's services departments.

Helen Wheatley, principal officer at the Council for Disabled Children, said the programme would "help commissioners learn from each other and develop their skills, particularly around areas of disabled children's services".

She praised the model's focus on putting children, young people and families "at the heart of developing, planning and choosing the support they receive".

- www.cypnow.co.uk/doc.