Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of the work to date within the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) system, through the newly developed SEND Improvement plan.  It provides a narrative to the improvement work to date within the BCP Council SEND service, the wider SEND system and points towards the significant progress that has been made over the last 6 months. It is recognised though, that much more needs to be done and that a continued effort is needed across the partnership to address the further areas of improvement.

Alongside the operational and strategic improvement work within the SEND system the report also provides information and a short narrative on the progress of the Safety Valve programme and resultant next steps. Discussions are still ongoing with the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and as such a revised Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) plan has not yet commenced.

The Interim Director of Education and Skills presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This report provided an overview of the work to date within the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) system, through the newly developed SEND Improvement plan. It provided a narrative to the improvement work to date within the BCP Council SEND service, the wider SEND system and points towards the significant progress that had been made over the last 6 months. It is recognised though, that much more needs to be done and that a continued effort is needed across the partnership to address the further areas of improvement.

Alongside the operational and strategic improvement work within the SEND system, the report also provided information and a short narrative on the progress of the Safety Valve programme and resultant next steps. Discussions were still ongoing with the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and as such a revised Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) plan had not yet commenced.

The report also outlined the serious implications of the current funding position for SEND services, for the Council.

The Committee discussed the report including:

• In response to a query raised, regarding SEND services working to Safety Valve objectives, the Committee was advised that there were no further conversations between BCP and the DFE regarding Safety Valve. The management of the designated school grants had to continue, and the service was still working to that plan. Children’s Services officers would welcome an opportunity to speak with the local MP to discuss BCP as well as the national challenges that the service faces. 
• In response to a query raised regarding the two-tier system for new and old cases, the Committee was informed that there were 232 children awaiting assessment due to a backlog. This had resulted in new cases being processed much faster than the backlogged cases. However, the issue had been resolved, and all cases will now be decided within six weeks.
• The Committee was advised that work was being done to increase the support and investment in parent carer groups to encourage greater community-based discussion linking groups across BCP.  Locality events were being organised to share the plans of Children’s Services and to ensure residents had an opportunity to contribute and develop ideas.
• In response to a query raised regarding parent complaints, the Committee was advised that complaints are considered and responded to weekly, taking into account the status of any highlighted issues. Children’s Services prioritises addressing all issues as part of the SEND improvement plan and the new structure.
• The Committee was advised that the link to the SEND scorecard would be shared in these Minutes in the Minute Book, a link to which would follow:  SEND Improvement Board key performance indicator (bcpcouncil.gov.uk).
• In response to a query raised regarding Dingley’s Promise, the Committee was advised that Dingley’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9

This report provides an overview of the work to date within the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) system, through the newly developed SEND Improvement plan.  It provides a narrative to the improvement work to date within the BCP Council SEND service, the wider SEND system and points towards the significant progress that has been made over the last 6 months. It is recognised though, that much more needs to be done and that a continued effort is needed across the partnership to address the further areas of improvement.

Alongside the operational and strategic improvement work within the SEND system the report also provides information and a short narrative on the progress of the Safety Valve programme and resultant next steps. Discussions are still ongoing with the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and as such a revised Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) plan has not yet commenced.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           Noted the positive progress against the SEND Improvement Plan in the Local Authority’s key statutory processes in particular, our children in BCP Children’s Services this academic year are no longer experiencing delays to the initial assessment and creation of their EHCPs;

(b)           Acknowledges that the new SEND Improvement Board governance structure provides the rigour and transparency required to maintain progress in the SEND system;

(c)          Noted the assumptions within the Safety Valve plan and associated DSG plan are understood and that the Committee notes that BCP are currently in discussions with DfE and DLUHC regarding the financial implications of the High Needs Block budget; and

(d)          Acknowledge that the progression of improvements in SEND is reliant on Health, Education and the Council working together.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

Reason

To ensure that all stakeholders within and across the SEND system are aware of the positive improvements in the SEND system and the future work required regarding the Safety Valve programme and supporting DSG plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the report provided an overview of the work to date within the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) system, through the newly developed SEND Improvement plan, and further to this provided a narrative to the improvement work to date within the BCP Council SEND service, the wider SEND system and points towards the significant progress that has been made over the last 6 months.

Cabinet was informed that it is recognised though, that much more needs to be done and that a continued effort is needed across the partnership to address the further areas of improvement.

Cabinet was further advised that alongside the operational and strategic improvement work within the SEND system the report also provided information and a short narrative on the progress of the Safety Valve programme and resultant next steps, and that discussions were still ongoing with the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and as such a revised Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) plan has not yet commenced.

Councillor Patrick Canavan addressed the Cabinet expressing thanks to the Portfolio Holder for the reassurance that it can come back to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and further to this requested an update on the Safety Valve.

Cabinet members discussed the report and highlighted the financial implications within it.

The Director for Finance addressed the Cabinet highlighting further the concerns around the financial implications and advising that following the meeting he would be writing to the Director of Finance at DLUHC to seek advice on how we can resolve the issue of the difference between what we are currently spending on SEND services and the government grant available.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           Noted the positive progress against the SEND Improvement Plan in the Local Authority’s key statutory processes in particular, our children in BCP Children’s Services this academic year are no longer experiencing delays to the initial assessment and creation of their EHCPs;

(b)           Acknowledges that the new SEND Improvement Board governance structure provides the rigour and transparency required to maintain progress in the SEND system;

(c)          Noted the assumptions within the Safety Valve plan and associated DSG plan are understood and that the Committee notes that BCP are currently in discussions with DfE and DLUHC regarding the financial implications of the High Needs Block budget; and

(d)          Acknowledge that the progression of improvements in SEND is reliant on Health, Education and the Council working together.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children and Young People

Reason

To ensure that all stakeholders within and across the SEND system are aware of the positive improvements in the SEND system and the future work required regarding the Safety Valve programme and supporting DSG plan.