Issue - meetings

In accordance with statutory guidance on making significant changes to maintained schools, this report sets out a proposal to expand post-16 provision at Linwood School’s Skills Centre site. The proposed expansion supports the Council’s statutory responsibility to secure sufficient specialist places and forms part of a broader programme to increase access to high-quality, local SEND provision.

The proposal responds to growing demand for specialist places, driven by rising numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and the associated reliance on independent and non-maintained special schools and alternative provision.

By making use of existing accommodation at the Skills Centre for post-16 delivery, the Council intends to strengthen local capacity, enabling more young people to access suitable education closer to home. Expanding provision in this way is expected to reduce dependence on costly out-of-area placements, which often incur higher fees and significant transport costs. It will also support improved outcomes by allowing young people to remain within their local communities, while delivering longer-term financial efficiencies for the Council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed with the proposal to expand Linwood School’s post-16 places at the Skills Centre, with effect from 1 September 2026.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children & Young People, Education and Skills

This recommendation is to support the increase of local specialist capacity using existing accommodation, reducing reliance on high-cost placements and transport, and improving cost control within the High Needs Block. It is the only option that supports financial sustainability.

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

Cabinet was advised that in accordance with statutory guidance on making significant changes to maintained schools, the report set out a proposal to expand post-16 provision at Linwood School’s Skills Centre site, and that the proposed expansion supported the Council’s statutory responsibility to secure sufficient specialist places and forms part of a broader programme to increase access to high-quality, local SEND provision.

Cabinet was informed that the proposal responded to growing demand for specialist places, driven by rising numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and the associated reliance on independent and non-maintained special schools and alternative provision.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that by making use of existing accommodation at the Skills Centre for post-16 delivery, the Council intended to strengthen local capacity, enabling more young people to access suitable education closer to home.

Cabinet was informed that expanding provision in this way was expected to reduce dependence on costly out-of-area placements, which often incur higher fees and significant transport costs, and that it will also support improved outcomes by allowing young people to remain within their local communities, while delivering longer-term financial efficiencies for the Council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed with the proposal to expand Linwood School’s post-16 places at the Skills Centre, with effect from 1 September 2026.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children & Young People, Education and Skills

This recommendation is to support the increase of local specialist capacity using existing accommodation, reducing reliance on high-cost placements and transport, and improving cost control within the High Needs Block. It is the only option that supports financial sustainability.