Having 'Choice and Control'
Over the past few years, 0-25 Together and SEND Brokerage teams have been introducing a strengths-based approach to our social care work with disabled children, young 
people and their families. In 2018 we began our ‘Choice and Control Project’ which was based on the same values as the Connected Lives approach in Adult Care Services.
What it means for you
Based on the Adult Service ‘Connected Lives’ programme, Choice and Control means just that - having control over choices in different support and activity.
It involves a different conversation between families and the social care worker in which creating the right support for the young person, includes exploring the role of the extended family, informal support networks and resources in the community, as well as specialist services.
The approach recognises the need for specialist services and aims to create a better balance of person-centred experiences and maximise opportunities for inclusion and independence for the disabled young person.
52 families whose child attended one of the overnight short break services were offered a Choice and Control review from the summer of 2018 through to the autumn of 2019. The parents/carers were asked for feedback following the reviews and the outcomes for the young person were monitored to help the service learn and improve its approach. During that time, 43 other families were also offered support in utilising more community services and support. Now the approach is expected to form part of all the planning and review conversations with families who are receiving support through the 0-25 Together service.
Some of the activities preferred are horse riding, a special needs sports club, climbing, trampolining and Pokémon social group via social media. A full list is available in the report.
This report explains more about the approach in Hertfordshire and the impact it has had but if you wish to find out more and how much of this work will be explored through the Transforming SEND programme, please email SENDtransformation@hertfordshire.gov.uk