Agenda item

This report responds to a request from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee key line of enquiry to benchmark BCP Council’s High Needs Block spend and strategic direction against similar local authorities. The purpose is to better understand the wider context of the Council’s High Needs deficit and identify potential strategies for improvement.

This report provides a strategic overview of BCP Council’s High Needs Block position. It also contains comparative data and insights together with an evaluation of the effectiveness of measures taken to address the accumulated Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit.

The report aims to support informed decision-making and provide assurance that all reasonable actions are being considered to address the financial challenges within the High Needs Block. improve financial sustainability and outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The Director of Education and Skills and the Assistant Chief Financial Officer 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 responded to a request from the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee key line of enquiry to benchmark BCP Council’s High Needs Block spend and strategic direction against similar local authorities. The purpose was to better understand the wider context of the Council’s High Needs deficit and identify potential strategies for improvement.

This report provided a strategic overview of BCP Council’s High Needs Block position. It also contained comparative data and insights together with an evaluation of the effectiveness of measures taken to address the accumulated Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit.

The report aimed to support informed decision-making and provide assurance that all reasonable actions were being considered to address the financial challenges within the High Needs Block, improve financial sustainability and outcomes for children.

The Committee discussed the report, including:

• In a response to a query raised regarding the scale of the High Needs pressures and joint lobbying, the Committee was advised that officers worked with other South West authorities, shared best practice, and used detailed data to strengthen engagement with the Government.
• In response to a query raised regarding anticipated Government policy changes, the Committee was advised that updates were expected in the New Year, with a likely focus on early support systems and multi-agency teams working closer to communities.
• In response to a query raised regarding the commissioning business case, the Committee was advised that the approach aimed to reduce EHCP numbers and reliance on alternative provision, although further work was needed on financial modelling.
• In response to a query raised regarding the engagement with schools and inclusion, the Committee was advised that openness and consistent data sharing were essential, and work was ongoing to secure borough-wide engagement.
• In response to a query raised regarding academy trusts, the Committee was advised that termly meetings with trust Chief Executives provided an opportunity for collaboration.
• In response to a query raised regarding IT systems, the Committee was advised that the SEND Dorset Intelligence and Insight Service supported early notifications and that the Synergy education management system was in place.
• The Committee was advised that AI tools are being used to assist with drafting EHCPs and refining content, but they do not replace practitioner input. It was noted that other local authorities are already using branded solutions for this purpose.
• In response to a query raised regarding post?16 provision, the Committee was advised that bespoke provision had been established urgently to meet immediate need, and steps were being taken to strengthen engagement with schools.
• The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People advised the Committee that early intervention and multi-agency working were critical to addressing demand pressures and noted ongoing collaboration with other local authorities to share best practice.

RESOLVED that the Committee used the information in the report to support informed decision-making about the measures and actions necessary to improve financial sustainability. The Committee endorsed a strategic package of improvement that included early intervention, strengthened Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) oversight, expansion of local provision, and improved dispute resolution. These actions were designed to reduce demand pressures, deliver better value for money, and align with an emerging High Needs Block Recovery Plan. The approach demonstrated that the Council was actively pursuing reasonable, evidence-based strategies to address the High Needs Block deficit while improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Voting: Nem. Con.

It was agreed that the Committee delegated to the Chair to work with officers to scope further work on this matter and to share the proposed scope with the Committee for agreement.