Agenda item

In 2014, the Department for Education and Department of Health set out the duties of Local Authorities, health bodies, schools and colleges to provide for those with special educational needs under part 3 of the Children and Families Act. This was later translated into a comprehensive Code of Practice in 2015.

This paper sets the framework for which the strategic and operational response to the Act and Code of Practice will be developed and delivered for children and young people across BCP and for the governance of that work.

The BCP Interim Service Director for Inclusion and Family Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

The report set out the statutory framework for the strategic and operational response to the Children and Families Act 2014 and the subsequent SEND Code of Practice 2015 and was recommended to the Board to ensure compliance with the Act and the Code of Practice. The report requested that the Health and Wellbeing Board agree to provide governance and strategic oversight for the delivery of SEND services for children and young people across BCP, in accordance with the Act and the Code.

The Board were asked to consider and support the recommendations in the report. The recommendations identified areas for progressing the reimagining of the service and to support the establishment of a framework of operation that would improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across BCP.

It was explained to the Board that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) would be undertaking a joint, system wide, inspection. The inspection could be as early as the new year. It would review how the Councils responsibilities to children and young people (from birth to age 25) with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) were being met.

It was highlighted that there would be a focus on working alongside parents and carers of children and young people, in addition to vulnerable young people who may not have a SEND. It would also be a priority to consider Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). It was considered that there was an opportunity to raise the profile of Children’s Services and work with partners, including Dorset, on shared learning and best practice.

The Board also recognized the importance of giving a voice to children and young people through engagement and participation. It was particularly highlighted that a forum for young adults would be worth considering. Permission was sought from the Health and Wellbeing Board to ensure all groups of children and young adults were represented and enabled to have a voice that informed how services were improved.

A number of questions were raised and discussed by the Board including;

·         The need for greater clarity around the governance expectations of the Board. It was suggested that a new Transformation Board for BCP would look at this and bring back clear proposals to the Board within the next 6-12 months.

·         That following the Self-Assessment and the updating of the Joint Commissioning Plan the Transformation Group would consider the best options for either collaborative working or work as BCP Council;

·         That consideration would be given to the engagement of disengaged parents and carers through the Parent and Carer Forum.

·         The gap between those presenting with a need for SEND support and those in receipt of support should be monitored. This would be covered when the Board considered the Improvement Plan;

·         It was requested that future papers include the SEND population numbers and whether this figure was increasing or decreasing.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)  That the Health and Wellbeing Board unanimously agrees to provide governance and strategic oversight for the delivery of services for children and young people with SEND across BCP in accordance with the Code of Practice (2015) and Children and Families Act (2014), with the expectation that more detailed proposals around governance be brought to the Board in the next 6-12 months. The proposals should include clear guidance on the differing functions of Cabinet and the Health and Wellbeing Board;

(b)  The Board considered and supports the areas identified for development and agrees to regular reports on progress being brought to the Board to meet the requirements of the Code of Practice 2015;

(c)  That the points raised above are taken into consideration.