To ask the Minister of Health whether a review is taking place of management culture and communication within Health and Social Care Trusts in relation to families seeking children's respite services.

There is currently no regional review of management culture and communication within Health and Social Care Trusts in relation to families seeking children’s respite services. However, a Collective Leadership Approach would be the cultural approach adopted across the HSC Trusts.

The Belfast HSC Trust has informed the Department that they are not aware of any review of management culture and communication within Health and Social Care Trusts, in relation to families seeking children's respite services.

The Northern HSC Trust has stated that whilst there is currently no formal review in place, Children with Disability management are continuously trying to improve communications including:

Consideration of effective engagement methods with parents/carers, and families who can advise on how to improve communications which will shape and inform an appropriate communication strategy.

The South Eastern HSC Trust has advised that they have established a range of communication forums with those families seeking Short Breaks. The South Eastern HSC Trust is currently planning to review the management culture and communication across the breath of children’s services to inform a practice of continuous improvement.

The Southern HSC Trust has informed my Department that if a child has been assessed as requiring short break (respite) services - the Southern HSC Trust will seek to ensure that there is timely and transparent communication with the family in relation to the type of support proposed and when this will be available. Where there is a waiting list in operation - Residential and Fostering waiting lists are regularly reviewed at the overnight forum and the social worker will provide an update to families. In addition, the Southern HSC Trust stated that where there are issues/concerns identified regarding the Trust’s communication with families regarding short breaks via complaints formally or informally, management will be advised of same and will seek to clarify the current position for families and identify any learning which will improve communication processes between the Trust and families.

The Western Trust have not undertaken a formal review of management culture and communications with families seeking respite services. However, the Western Trust has stated that they are continuously trying to improve communication with families and hold regular planned forums with parents and carers to provide updates regarding the Trust’s position on residential Short Breaks. The Western HSC Trust advise that parents were recently involved in the co-production of service developments in relation to the additional funding allocated. The Service are also in the process of setting up an Involvement Working Group to include some parents who can advise on how to improve communications within the Service.