Exceptions: Review periods under 2 years
In exceptional circumstances, you can set review periods of less than 2 years. This should only be done when it is clear from the information available on the individual’s circumstances that their condition is likely to change significantly before the 2 year mark.
You must make sure that the individual is likely to meet the forwards test.
You should consider the available information to:
- understand the individual’s prognosis
- decide if a review period under 2 years is appropriate
Setting a review period under 2 years could be appropriate due to one of the following having a significant impact on the individual’s needs:
- scheduled surgery planned beyond the longest possible time period for delaying a review - for more information read the guidance on extending and stopping the timer for review reminders
- scheduled, staged corrective surgery
- the individual recently starting new treatment likely to have a significant impact on their needs
- the individual soon completing treatment likely to have a significant impact on their needs once recovered
- it being difficult or impossible to anticipate how the individual’s needs will develop between 26 weeks (CDP forwards test) and 2 years from now. This could be due to a degenerative condition where the individual’s needs are expected to increase but the pace of change is unclear - for more information, read the guidance on backwards and forwards tests for Child Disability Payment
- the individual soon beginning a new phase in their life likely to have a significant impact on their needs, for example moving into adapted accommodation
This list is not exhaustive.
Setting a review period of under 2 years may be appropriate if it is impossible to anticipate how the individual’s needs will develop beyond that time.
You must make sure that this lack of clarity is not simply due to any of the following:
- a lack of knowledge of the individual’s condition
- gaps in the application, review form or in supporting information that they have not yet explored with a Health and Social Care practitioner, the individual or the professional who provided the supporting information in question
- a lack of general confidence and experience regarding setting review periods
If any of these bullet points apply, you must request a case discussion with a Health and Social Care practitioner to discuss what an appropriate review period would be.
Example: an individual's award of CDP will be reviewed in 12 months
Sarah is 3 months old and was born with a cleft lip and palate.
Her parents apply for CDP and provide information about her current care needs. They explain that Sarah is unable to breastfeed and must be fed through a tube in her nose. They also describe that she has developed glue ear, which is being treated with grommets to help drain fluid from her ears.
The case manager familiarises with Sarah’s application alongside her treatment plan and supporting information. They note that Sarah has surgery scheduled to repair her cleft lip at 6 months of age and a further operation to close her cleft palate at 12 months. They also consider that her grommets are expected to fall out between 6 and 12 months of age.
They then consider what review period would be appropriate. The case manager recognises that Sarah’s condition and care needs are likely to change significantly over the next year due to her planned surgeries and recovery, and that as she develops, her needs may be different compared to other children of her age.
They therefore decide to set a review date 12 months from now, as this will allow time for Sarah to undergo her planned treatments. At that stage, her level of need can be considered based on how her condition may have changed following surgery.
Sarah’s determination letter informed her that her award would be reviewed in 12 months. The case manager explained that this review period was set to allow time for Sarah’s planned surgery and that her grommets were expected to have fallen out by then. The case manager noted that, at review, an update would be required on whether Sarah’s needs have changed following her surgery.