Issue - meetings

Children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) have high aspirations for their future. In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we want to support all children and young people to enjoy their childhood and develop the skills, confidence and resilience to achieve their goal of a positive and successful adult life.

The Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion Strategy has been created in partnership with stakeholders.  It sets out our ambition for children and young people with SEND, supporting delivery of the council’s Big Plan.

The ambitions in the strategy will be realised through the delivery plan, overseen by the SEND Improvement Board.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes how the strategy was developed in partnership and agree the strategy.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Children and Young People

                               Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills

Reason

To agree BCPs shared partnership ambition for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

To support BCP Council in meeting its legal responsibilities in relation to special educational needs and disabilities.

The Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Portfolio Holder informed Cabinet that Children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) have high aspirations for their future, and that in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we want to support all children and young people to enjoy their childhood and develop the skills, confidence and resilience to achieve their goal of a positive and successful adult life.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion Strategy has been created in partnership with stakeholders, and that It set out the councils ambition for children and young people with SEND, supporting delivery of the council’s Big Plan.

In addition, Cabinet was informed that the ambitions in the strategy will be realised through the delivery plan, overseen by the SEND Improvement Board.

The Portfolio Holder addressed Cabinet with regards to governance, advising that the body responsible for delivering this strategy was the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Improvement Board, and that this board was chaired independently by a Local Government Association Improvement specialist who provides robust and impartial challenge. In addition, Cabinet was informed that the Board meets six weekly and assesses improvement against the five prioritise which are set out through its own learning and improvement plan. Further to this Cabinet was advised that the Board comprises representatives from Parent Carers Together, The Dorset CCG, Headteachers, the voluntary and community sectors, health providers, officers of BCP as well as elected members, both Councillor Nicola Greene as Cabinet Member and Councillor Sandra Moore as a non-executive member reporting directly back to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In relation to this Cabinet was informed that that The Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Board takes a keen interest in this area of work and are taking a report to their next meeting looking at this strategy from which it is envisaged further scrutiny will follow. The Portfolio Further advised that at last Mondays Health and Adult Services Overview and Scrutiny Board Members attention had been drawn to the priority of preparation for adulthood which links directly to work under their remit, and that there is a further reporting line under the Health and Wellbeing Board, who’s strategy focuses on improving incomes for children and young people, and young adults with special educational needs.

Cabinet spoke in support of the report praising the work or officers and members involved.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes how the strategy was developed in partnership and agree the strategy.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education