Issue - meetings

Following a local area SEND inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in late June 2021, the local authority (LA) and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) must produce and submit a Written Statement of Action (WSoA) by 7 December.

The WSoA is being co-produced by a partnership process involving families, schools, Health, the Council and other partners.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           endorse the partnership approach to radically improving special educational needs and disabilities across the BCP area; and

(b)           delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery to sign off the WSoA on behalf of the Council.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Council Priorities and Delivery

Reason

To ensure the Council meets the requirement of the SEND local area inspection and support the Council in meeting its legal responsibilities regarding SEND through delivery of the eight work programmes drawn up in response to the eight areas of criticism.

The Portfolio Holder for Priorities and Delivery 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.

Cabinet was advised that following a local area SEND inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in late June 2021, the local authority (LA) and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) must produce and submit a Written Statement of Action (WSoA) by 7 December.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the WSoA is being co-produced by a partnership process involving families, schools, Health, the Council and other partners.

The Chairman of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet advising that at their meeting the previous evening the Committee had discussed the item and whilst there were no formal recommendations the committee had been supportive of the paper and its recommendations.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           endorse the partnership approach to radically improving special educational needs and disabilities across the BCP area; and

(b)           delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery to sign off the WSoA on behalf of the Council.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Council Priorities and Delivery