Agenda item

To consider the information report.

Vicky Wales presented the report provided, which looked at the detail and background to the work surrounding High Needs.  This included the ISOS reviews for both Bournemouth and Poole, which were commissioned by both Local Authorities to look at the pressures on the High Needs Block (HNB).  ISOS have worked with Local Authorities nationally and are a key independent group working with the DfE.

It was noted that there are very similar pressures across both areas.

Key points raised:

• There has been growth in EHCPs across all ages, including Post 19.
• There are more SEND pupils in specialist provision across the area than is the case nationally.
• Local special schools are at capacity.
• There have been large rises in permanent exclusions, with pupils not returning to mainstream education.
• Spend on alternative provision and bespoke provision has increased.

Both Local Authorities set up targeted groups to look at High Need pressures, as recommended by ISOS;

• Bournemouth developed outreach services; Poole has reviewed existing outreach services.
• Systems of supporting SEND pupils to remain in mainstream have been explored with schools, such as a Mainstream Plus offer.
• Working with special schools to explore satellite special school provision.
• Post 16 provision, extending the collaboration between Winchelsea School and Bournemouth and Poole College.
• In Poole, the Positive Re-integration Protocol has been developed to encourage a return to mainstream education for excluded pupils; this has been shown to have had an impact.
• Both Local Authorities have introduced a graduated response toolkit.
• High cost placements have been reviewed.

The targeted group in Poole had met that morning and expressed an interest in combining the 2 groups. 

All present discussed the report, the benefits of working together and initiatives to reduce high needs costs would need to be built into the budget. Key points were as follows:

·         It was confirmed that figures provided included figures for the Christchurch area, as well as Bournemouth and Poole and used estimates based on current levels of provision and expected future trends.  The remit of the combined group would be pragmatic, collaborative work to look at solutions together for schools and the Local Authority.

·         It was confirmed that ultimately accountability remains with the Local Authorities and officers are held to account by Elected Members.  The responsibility for finding solutions is a partnership between schools and the Local Authority, and a single HNB group would need to ensure a single financial strategy.

·         Place numbers were queried as there were more places than outlined in the paper.  It was confirmed that all special schools are currently over numbers and this has been built into budgets for next year alongside a reduction in the budget for independent schools. It was felt that a meeting between the Local Authority and special schools would be beneficial, as all were keen to look at provision; the intention is to move more pupils into more affordable provision. 

·         It was raised that the approach to outreach varies between Bournemouth and Poole.  Strategies need to be aligned, whilst addressing differences across the areas.

1. The new Delta Trust alternative provision school in Bovington and its impact on Bournemouth and Poole was raised; this was confirmed as opening on a small scale in September 2020.

RESOLVED that:

(i)   The HNB Groups for Bournemouth and Poole combine into one group of approximately 12 members, which includes a Christchurch representative and works to a single action plan.

(ii)  The Terms of Reference for this new group to be brought to the next meeting of the Shadow Schools Forum on 13 November 2018.

(iii)The Group would meet informally prior to the next meeting of the shadow schools forum on 13 November 2018