Agenda item

To consider the report.

The Forum was asked to consider all the information put before them before coming to a decision or making a recommendation.

Dave Simpson presented the report on behalf of the High Needs Block (HNB) Financial Strategy Group.

Comments noted:

·                Banding of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) funding moves the financial pressure out of the High Needs Block and into schools’ budgets.

·                There is not enough money in the pot to cover the demand.

·                The HNB Financial Strategy Group has value and would like to continue to meet to draw together the strategy for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).

·                Vicky Wales noted that across the 3 meetings there had been good engagement and representation and they had looked at the issues in detail across BCP and the actions being taken. The situation is clearly very difficult but this is also a national issue. The need to continue lobbying Government was highlighted and thanks were expressed to Members for speaking to local MPs about this.

·                It was noted that banding exists in the Early Years Sector and in top-ups in special schools. This helps give more clarity to parents and takes away the emphasis on 1:1 funding.

·                There is support for Outreach Services.

·                The recommendations from this report are looking at the ways of keeping pupils in mainstream schools and supporting funding moving to local provision.

·                Issues around permanent exclusions were discussed in the group and what opportunities there are to look at this. A group has already been formed to explore this further.

The Chair requested any questions regarding the report. A summary of questions with responses was as follows:

·         Referring to Page 19 of the papers, what level of savings had already been achieved in independent special schools. Vicky Wales stated that in Poole a reduction of approximately 300k had been achieved and this was similar in Bournemouth in this part of the budget. This had been achieved by reviewing placements with a focus on outcomes, looking at contractual arrangements and value for money and a new South West Framework is being introduced.

·         Regarding investing to save, who would validate the amount of money and evaluate the investment in outreach services. Vicky Wales confirmed that both Poole and Bournemouth had worked with providers, and been informed by the ISOS reviews and looked at pupils moving from mainstream into special provision mainly around ASD. Poole have reviewed and set up a framework to look at and measure impact of outreach services. This will be adopted across the area. There is a need to continue to work in partnership to look at value for money and impact of outreach services in BCP. A Forum Member noted that outreach work in Poole is already well established.

·         Given the capacity issues around specialist provision, why had Bournemouth and Poole not put in a bid to open a special free school?  Vicky Wales noted that they had been aware that Dorset had put in a bid to open a free school in Bovington so knew there would be one in the local area, and all special schools had also agreed to expand their provision wherever possible. A new school would add further financial pressure to the DSG. Neil Goddard noted that Bournemouth and Poole did look at the free school option but had made a judgement that, within the constraints of the very tight timescale for the bids, would be unlikely to be successful. This would also have diverted resources from the current work underway. This option could be explored again in the future if it was felt appropriate.

·         The response rate for the most recent high needs consultation had not been high and queried how this would be addressed.  The Chair opted to take this question later in the meeting.

·         It was queried if the significant monies received by Linwood and Sigma from the SSIF could be utilised in any way. A Forum Member clarified that those monies were received to support school improvement opportunities, not provision, and therefore could not be used for addressing these current pressures but hopefully would have medium term impact.

·         Has the use of specialist hubs within mainstream schools which have space has been considered? Vicky Wales confirmed that Bournemouth and Poole have been looking at this option and some have already been established which free up special school places.  The example given was Montacute pupils have a class at St Aldhelm’s Academy in Poole.

·         The Chair asked what had been done in terms of lobbying government. Cllr Nicola Greene confirmed that a letter had been sent to the Secretary of State by Michael Tomlinson on our behalf. Cllr Greene read out the content of the response to this letter which had been received late the previous day. In summary, there was no commitment confirmed of any additional funding. Members will continue to lobby and the Minister is also hearing the same across the country from other Local Authorities.

The Chair sought further views from Forum members.

·         Health colleagues need to be more engaged as they could be giving parents unaffordable expectations of levels of support within early years. Vicky Wales confirmed that Health colleagues are part of the panels making decisions. Useful if specific examples could be provided to the Early Years Team.

·         Referring to page 10, bullet point 3 in respect of banding. Some of the EHCPs state a specific amount of money – when these are reviewed will the larger amount stay on the EHCP or will they be reviewed and be allocated a banding? It was confirmed that on review specific amounts will be part of the EHCP.

·         Banding protection – when would this be introduced? This was in development with the suggestion made that it could apply where EHCP proportion is greater than 3% of pupils. When this was discussed, there were only a small number at this level but if numbers of EHCPs continue to grow then more schools could be drawn in and the impact on other schools would need to be a greater reduction.

·         Should the lobbying focus more on the financial impact of parental choice and expectations and with regard to the Tribunals, it is clear that the legislation places greater weight on the views of parents. Vicky Wales agreed with this point and the DfE have indicated policy makers are being made aware of the financial issues but changing legislation is a lengthy process and can take years and therefore we must all work within the current system and legislation. A Forum Member noted that we should be promoting the message that parental expectations do need to be managed. 

RESOLVED that

a)        Continue to lobby central Government to ensure there is sufficient funding to ensure the DSG can cover the demand upon it.

Votes: For – 21 Abstentions – 1

AGEED BY MAJORITY

b)        The Early Years sector needs to continue their focus on early identification and intervention ensuring consistent process across BCP.

Votes: For – 21 Abstentions – 1

AGEED BY MAJORITY

c)         Within BCP, banding needs to be clear and transparent and the impact on individual school budgets should be carefully considered to ensure equity and impact on schools’ budgets. A protection factor should be explored for 2019-20.

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED

d)        Outreach services are an integral part of any financial strategy and clear targets linked to impact are required within a streamlined offer across BCP.

Votes: For – 21 Against – 1

AGEED BY MAJORITY

e)        Permanent exclusion rates need to reduce through better collaboration and partnership work between schools, alternative provision providers and LA officers.

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED

f)          BCP should continue to explore and develop capacity within the new authority to ensure value for money and reduce placements in the independent and non-maintained sector including post 16 education.

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED

g)        The HNB Financial Strategy Group needs to continue to meet to draw together a joint action plan to reduce the financial demands on the HNB. The group needs to monitor the impact of the action plan and report regularly to the shadow Schools Forum and from April 2019 to the BCP Schools Forum.

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED