Agenda item

The report provides an update on the SEND Improvement journey and key progress to date as evidenced by performance.

Terry Reynolds, Education Consultant working for BCP Council, presented the report which provided an update on the SEND improvement journey and key progress to date as evidenced by performance, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix ‘D’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

Mr Reynolds referred to the Local Government Association Peer review of SEND Services undertaken in January 2020 that identified a number of issues requiring improvement and that subsequently partners had established the SEND Improvement Board.  The Improvement Board received a report in October 2020 from Anthony Douglas, Independent Children’s Advisor, on a diagnostic of statutory SEND services to look at the most critical issues needing improvement.  Mr Reynolds explained that there was the Improvement Board and a Learning and Improvement Plan arising out of the reports referred to above.  The Board was advised that the issues facing BCP Council were common in almost all Local Authorities around the provision of effective SEND services.  Mr Reynolds referred to a recently published Ofsted report which indicated that there were systemic issues reflected in SEND area inspections highlighting common weaknesses.  These weaknesses included the lack of joint commissioning, that co-production does not work effectively and the development of poor-quality health and care plans.  He highlighted that there were 151 Local Authorities and all of them had deficits in their high needs block budget which funded SEND services.  Therefore, the conclusion of the Ofsted report was that reforms of the SEND services was now even more urgent following the pandemic than it was before.  Mr Reynolds reported that the aspirations of those working in the service was to provide the best possible service for children and families so that Children with SEND can live healthy fulfilled and successful lives.  The Board was advised that there was a number of challenges in providing the service that the Council wants to provide and there were two elements which BCP Council does not yet have which was the continuum of provision from mainstream through to very specialist provision and the budget pressures were not only substantial but were increasing due to increased demand on the system.  The Board was informed that there was a challenge to provide an effective system and manage the budget.

The Vice-Chairman acknowledged that it was clearly a challenging area and was very emotive for anyone who had been involved in the system.  He explained that it was an area that needs improvement, and it was good to see the progress made.

Kelly Twitchen commented on the extra support and oversight for children in care to ensure that those with SEND were receiving what they needed.  She commented on the upskilling of the SEND team and that staff had been seconded to provide support. The Board was advised that a lead for inclusion had been appointed within the virtual school to provide an extra layer of oversight to ensure timeliness for the completion of plans, annual reviews and early identification of need.  Louise Bate, Healthwatch referred to the young listeners who were designing an engagement project and as part of that initiative they would be speaking to young people who were in the SEND category. Louise confirmed that she would feed the insights into the Board.

Kate Ryan, Corporate Director referred to her area of service delivery and in particular preparation for adulthood and the need for suitable independent housing options.  She highlighted the work with care leavers and the various commissioning strategies being developed to support this work.  Jan Thurgood, Corporate Director reported on the preparation for adulthood and the work being undertaken to promote independence and choices to enable young people and young adults to achieve want they want.  She highlighted one of the key areas which was training and employment and asked partners to consider potential employment opportunities in their organisations for young people and those coming though SEND services and adults with disabilities.

RESOLVED that the update report and progress made to date be received and noted.

Voting: Agreed