A progress report on the SEND and SEHM reviews will be presented, Document KI. This report also responds to the information requested at the last meeting, as recorded in the minutes, including mapping (diagrams) of the current SEMH continuum of provision, and the current structure of alternative provisions, and of what the Authority is working to establish. 

Recommended –

The Schools Forum is asked to consider and to note the information provided.

(Marium Haque – 01274 431078)

The Intelligence and Sufficiency Manager and the Deputy Director, Education and Learning, presented Document KI. Appendix 1 (provision diagram) was presented at the meeting.

The presentation reminded Members that the Council is working to ensure the sufficiency of SEND and AP places. Members were also reminded that the assessment of what is a ‘sufficient’ number is an iterative process. The Council is immediately working to create 354 additional places. Statutory notices relating to these places are to be published tomorrow for consultation and the details of this consultation will be emailed to Forum Members. As in previous updates, the Deputy Director offered her thanks to schools for their very positive interest and contribution to this places development work.

In response to questions asked by Members, the Deputy Director emphasised that the Council is actively working on wider SEND system changes across the District and that places creation needs to be viewed as part of a whole system that is currently being improved. She updated Members on work that is taking place behind the scenes to improve the Council’s EHCP assessment processes, which has included increasing the capacity of the assessment team and re-shaping how this works. Panel chairing arrangements have been amended. A revised matrix of need document has recently been consulted on and positively received and is now to be rolled out. The Council is also looking at training to improve SENCOs’ understanding of how to use this matrix. Schools will start to see system-wide improvements soon and certainly by September.

Members asked some questions about the detail of the 354 places where the Council responded that this could not be shared until the publication of the consultation tomorrow. Members also made the following comments and asked the following main questions:

·         The Council has done a very good job to create 354 additional places in the context of the lack of capital funding. As a District, we now need to press the DfE very hard on the issue of capital funding and free schools. The Deputy Director agreed with this statement.

·         Following from matters raised by schools, the Vice Chair asked whether the Schools Forum could consider a transitional funding plan for the Primary Behaviour Centres to the end of the 2019/20 academic year. The Deputy Director responded that an academic year transition can be considered as part of the discussions with the Centres.

·         Can further details be given about the proposed creation of 110 secondary SEMH places? The Intelligence and Sufficiency Manager responded that the proposal for 40 places will be published tomorrow (and anticipated available from September). The proposal for the 70 places cannot be published yet but it is anticipated these could be in place for January 2020.

·         There is a continued need for close partnership working with schools. The Vice Chair expressed his concern about the capacity in the immediate short term to ‘unblock’ a currently ‘blocked’ AP system. Other alternatives, working in partnership with schools and running in parallel with the Council’s plans, need to be considered so that pupils’ needs are met in the short term.

·         Appreciating that the Council is working quickly to secure additional places and system changes, the Chair emphasised that the impact of all plans on the High Needs Block must be closely considered.

·         In the interests of resolving some of the uncertainties expressed by Members at today’s meeting, the Chair suggested that it would be beneficial for the Council to present a single concise development plan. The Deputy Director emphasised the fast pace of change that is needed to secure immediate improvement but that the Council will dedicate time to resolve issues of communication and understanding.

·         Does the new Matrix of Need document have immediate implications for funding? The Deputy Director responded that it only sets out strategies, wave interventions and information on the fully subsidised services available for schools.

·         In response to a follow up question about the progress of the already identified development of a new high needs funding model, critical to the success of the system,  the Deputy Director stated that this work will be take forward, starting with consideration of an existing best practice model and with the funding of the special school sector. A new model can then be tested and move across to be used for the funding of SEND in mainstream provisions.

Resolved –

(1)       That the information provided in Document KI be noted.

(2)       That the next update to the Forum on 10 July includes responses         to the Forum’s discussion as recorded in the minutes.

ACTION – Deputy Director Education & Learning