What is a service plan?
A service plan is like an umbrella under which all the necessary information related to working with a child with special needs is gathered. The child’s service plan and other plans made for the child shoud have very similar goals.
Who draws up the service plan?
The service plan is formulated in cooperation with the municipal disabled services unit. It’s recommended that one be drawn up at the very beginning of the customer relationship. It’s a good idea to map out the child’s longe term holistic needs and make a note of them in the form of a service plan when applying for any assistive devices or other disabled services from your municipality.
What does the service plan consist of?
The contents of the service plan depend on the child’s age, rehabilitative needs and the language used. The downloadable plan below (coming soon) is just an example and can be used as a list to help remember what might be needed when drawing up a service plan for a child with the person in charge of the municipality’s disabled services. A completed plan that’s evaluated at regular intervals is a great tool for parents to use in keeping the big picture under control.
Is the service plan mandatory?
Social and health services legislation states that the implementation of social services requires a service, care, rehabilitation or equivalent plan, unless the case in question involves temporary counseling or guidance or if there are other valid reasons why making a plan is unnecessary.
The service plan functions as a plan of action for the customer and the person or party responsible for implementing the designated social services. It is not an administrative decision made by an official and it isn’t legally binding. It doesn’t give the client the right to demand any of the services or support outlined in the plan. The client should, however, be provided with the services and support registered in the service plan, unless a valid reason to do otherwise exists. The plan represents an obligation for the municipality and there needs to be a valid reason for any deviations, such as changes in the kind of help the client needs since the plan was written up. The fact that all the support the child receives is registered in one place helps the parents, too.
For more information: Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities
Services for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities in International Sign Language
