To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-
The deadline for the submission of public questions is 3 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
The following questions and statement were received from Mr Adam Sofianos with the answers from the Portfolio Holder set out in response:
Question 1 – Agenda Item 9: Alternative Provision Improvement Plan
The data provided in the paper is alarming.
1372 children are accessing Alternative Provision – a headcount larger than all but 4 schools in BCP. 95% of these have SEN. 15% have been in AP for 3 or more years.
Equally critical is the experience of children during placement. At November 2024’s meeting I requested some data on this, but was told it would be provided at a later meeting. 10 months later, I’m not aware of a full response.
So: what is the current overall rate for APs within BCP, for:
i) sessions missed,
ii) pupil distance travelled,
iii) the proportion of pupils allocated places within 6 schooldays of exclusion, as required by law?
iv) And of the current AP placements, what proportion is being fulfilled through an online provision?
[Ref for Nov 24: https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=17866 ]
Response from the Portfolio Holder:
i) Attendance: We are currently implementing a system for capturing the attendance of children and young people who are placed in unregistered provision and not on a school roll. Attendance for State funded Alternative Provision Schools 2024/25 Academic Year:
Christchurch Learning Centre – 50.38%
The Quay School – 64.3%
National Average – 41.7% (2022/23 - latest Published from the DfE)
ii) Some providers offer provision in different locations, so we are not able to currently report on this.
iii) Of the 108 C&YP that went on to alternative provision in the 2024/25 academic year, 48% (52 C&YP) were allocated places within 6 school days of the exclusion. This is a figure that we are not happy with and we are addressing this though our service improvements.
iv) We aren’t able to currently report on this due to some providers offering online and face to face provision or a mixture of the two. We are setting up methods on how we can capture this going forward and aiming to implement this by October half term.
Question 2 – Agenda Item 8: SEND Improvement update
The outlook for SEND is grim. Costs continue to rise well above the government’s appetite for funding. Service delivery fluctuates. Yet the need among our children is undeniable. Last year in BCP, 97% of needs assessments resulted in a plan. Nationally, over 98% of tribunal hearings end in a win for families.
With mounting political pressure to reduce children’s rights, there’s the potential for catastrophe. And far from reducing costs, this could turbocharge them.
Across both SEND and AP papers, and in national studies, we see one of the key drivers: that overall, schools and policies are not inclusive enough. But by securing more supportive cultures within schools, the Council could provide some resilience against any future attack on children’s rights.
So, how is the Council addressing this, and in particular, what’s happening with its Inclusion Strategy?
Response from the Portfolio Holder:
Thank you for your thoughtful and passionate reflection on the current landscape for SEND.
I share your concern about the pressures facing the system and the importance of protecting the rights and futures of our children and young people.
At BCP Council, we recognise that inclusive practice is not the responsibility of individual schools alone—it requires system leadership, shared accountability, and a culture of collaboration across education, health, care, and communities.
Our approach is rooted in partnership and co-production, and we are committed to working alongside schools rather than criticising them.
I would like to emphasise that point as my background means that I understand the pressures and workings of schools. Working together always pts Children and young people first.
The Council’s approach to inclusion is embedded through our Belonging Strategy, which launched in June 2025.
This strategy sets out our ambition for every child and young person to feel a sense of connection and belonging in their school and community.
It promotes inclusive values, early identification of need, and high-quality provision across all settings.
Our refreshed SEND Improvement Plan (2025–2027) is central to this work. Developed with partners including Parent Carer Forums, NHS Dorset ICB, and education providers, the plan focuses on eight priority areas, including:
· Early Identification and Intervention: Strengthening pathways to ensure children receive support before needs escalate.
· Inclusion: Supporting schools to develop inclusive cultures and practices, with targeted outreach and professional development.
· Communication and Co-production: Ensuring families are active partners in shaping services and provision.
We are also investing in system-wide support through initiatives such as:
· The development of a three-tier Alternative Provision model, aligned with national best practice.
· The creation of an Education Partnership Board, to provide strategic leadership and accountability.
· A renewed focus on trauma-informed and relational approaches, particularly for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
We agree that reducing children’s rights would be both ethically and economically damaging. Instead, our strategy is to build resilience through inclusive systems, earlier support, and strong relationships—with schools, families, and communities.
We welcome continued dialogue and scrutiny, and we are committed to reporting regularly on progress and impact.
Statement 1 – Agenda Item 11: CSCC Annual Report
On the subject of compliments, I’d like to add mine, for the incredible support given by officers to the Mudeford Wood Playgroup. As members will recall, the Group was given notice to leave its previous premises, and was weeks away from folding. Just before the summer, the Council offered to reopen the vacant Highcliffe Day Centre, and make accommodation for the Group and its families there.
Since then a huge amount of work has been done to get the site ready on time. I visited the Playgroup team recently, as they were putting the final touches together, and it looks amazing.
This is a reminder that the Council’s portfolio of properties retains huge community value, and even vacant sites can solve so many challenges. And it’s a great example of what can be done together. I know how grateful everyone is.