A presentation will be made, which provides a detailed update on SEND provision and Behaviour strategy matters. The documentation supporting the Forum consultation is included for reference at Document HM (1 and 2).

Recommended –

Members are asked to consider and respond to the presentation.

     (Judith Kirk – 01274 439238)

A comprehensive briefing (on PowerPoint) was presented by the Strategic Manager – SEND and the Strategic Manager – Early Years on the SEND Strategic Review for the Forum’s information. The presentation outlined the history, the purposes and rationale of the review, the work taking place for the delivery of sufficient high needs places and the proposals, currently out to formal consultation, for the establishment of Early Years Enhanced Special Provisions and Centres of Excellence and the creation of a traded Integrated Specialist Teaching Support Service (ISTSS) through reshaping High Needs Block funded services. It was explained that the formal consultation period is planned to run to the 31 August. The presentation also explained the development of ‘my support plan’, which is expected to be increasingly rolled out from the autumn term.

Forum Members asked a number of questions for clarification on the presentation. Members also asked the following questions and made the following comments:

·         Whether the Authority had trading models showing what the costs to schools would be of accessing the ISTSS? The Strategic Manager responded that the Authority is working on developing flexible packages and these would be available to consider in the autumn incorporating the feedback from the consultation.

·         That the cost pressures being faced by school must be considered within this review; schools may only be able to purchase what they can afford rather than what they need.

·         That the progress of the consultation and the review should continue to be an agenda item at Headteacher meetings.

·         Will we only be looking to establish about an extra 100 places after September 2018? The Strategic Manager confirmed that this will be the position (following the earlier creation of places on an interim basis between January 2017 and September 2018).

·         What is the position of SEND free school applications? The Chair responded that Bradford Authority has commissioned 2 new SEND free schools, which will create 360 places when opened. These are in addition to the Authority’s commissioning of a new SEMH school. It was clarified that these free schools will be funded for the places commissioned by the Authority (the Authority defines its commitment to the DfE in terms of number of places that will be funded rather than a guaranteed value of income).

·         Will the Schools Block be required to make further contributions to the High Needs Block in the future? The Business Advisor (Schools) stated that the purpose of the transfer of funds in this current financial year was to support the position of the High Needs Block across the medium term so that it ‘lives within its own means’. Further contributions are not assumed and there would need to be good reason for consideration of these. However, we ‘can never say never’, at least until we have more confirmed information about the National Funding Formula. The NFF may prevent further contributions from the Schools Block in any event. The pressures within the High Needs Block cannot be under estimated.

The Chair concluded the discussion by thanking the Strategic Managers for the comprehensiveness of their presentation and of the solution presented. He asked that the minutes of the meeting record that the Forum endorses the review work. He also reminded Members of their duty to communicate with colleagues on these matters.

Resolved –

That the update provided on the Strategic Review of SEND and High Needs Block Matters be noted.