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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Additional funding for disabled children's services'.

Kate Higgins FSDC Liaison Project

Aiming High for Disabled Children Strategy

I refer to your freedom of information request received on 8th November 2009 regarding the above subject matter and would respond to your specific points as follows.

  1. I understand that the Barnett Formula consequentials due to Scotland as a result of HM Treasury's announcement of £340m to support families with disabled children in connection with the report Aiming High for Disabled Children were included within the overall Scottish Budget resulting from the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 Settlement, and were not hypothecated

  2. I can advise however that Childrens Services received a net increase in budget of £283,000 from April 2008 and of £324,000 from April 2009 (after application of savings and efficiency measures). Whilst these budget increases were not ring fenced in relation to `Aiming High for Disabled Children' the following table shows the main movements in budget grouping between the various financial years.

Budget Heading

Increase in 2008-09 Budget

Increase in 2009-10 Budget

Respite

£140,197

-£111,372

Residential Accommodation

-£149,803

£81,224

Fostering & Adoption

£282,000

£229,670

Other Services

£10,000

£125,026

Total Increase

£282,394

£324,548

The above budget groupings provide services across all care categories ie learning disability, physical, mental health, substance misuse and looked after and accommodated. However the budgets which relate mainly to children with a disability are respite and approximately 50% of residential budgets.

I hope this answers your FOI enquiry.

Craig Bell

Head of Finance, CHCP

Cc Chief Social Work Officer

I:\Finance\CRAIG\FOI Aimimg High Disabled Children.doc