A presentation will be given on the Authority’s consultation on the review of SEND provision, updating the Forum on the information / consultation presented in September 2017. An update on the Authority’s wider review of SEMH provision will also be provided. This presentation also responds to matters raised, and additional information requested, by the Forum at its meeting on 6 December. For reference, a copy of the report tabled at the Executive 9 January is included in the reports pack.

(Judith Kirk – 01274 439238)

The Deputy Director, Education, Employment and Schools and the Strategic Manager, SEND and Behaviour delivered a PowerPoint presentation, which provided an update on the SEND and SEMH reviews, the creation of places and the development of a single integrated pathway for the assessment and placement of children with EHCPs. The Deputy Director explained that the 2^nd stage of consultation on the SEND Review has just been launched, having been agreed by the Executive yesterday. For reference, a copy of the report tabled at the Executive was included in the reports pack. The presentation also responded to matters raised, and additional information requested, by the Forum at its meeting on 6 December 2017.

In responding to the presentation, Members made the following main comments and asked the following main questions:

• How is the High Needs Block now funded and how does the re-designation of 2 PRU provisions increase funding? The Business Advisor explained that there is a specific factor in the new National Funding Formula, which allocates £4,000 for every child occupying a special school place in October each year. Children recorded in PRUs are not eligible for this.
• How realistic an assumption is it to have this re-designation completed by October 2019? The SEND Strategic Manager stated that this is a realistic date by which to have achieved this.
• What is the planned opening date for the new SEMH School? The SEND Strategic Manager stated that this is likely to be September 2020.
• In researching the development of a primary phase local agreement for the transfer of funding as a result of permanent exclusion, the Authority should look closely at what happens in other authorities, especially regionally.
• How will the trading model for mainstream support service recognise that providers are diverse in nature (offering early years, post 16 and post 19 provision etc)?
• The Executive report states that any cost of redundancies resulting from the SEND review will be met by the High Needs Block. Can the Authority provide a figure for how much this might be?
• Is there a willingness on behalf of the Council to review its 2014 home to school transport reform so that the transport policy better support places creation?
• How is the Authority’s capital development plan now supporting both the creation of additional SEND places and the outcomes of the SEMH review?

The Vice Chair, having declared his interest, made a number of comments in response to the presentation on the SEMH review. He stressed the need to balance the requirement to secure the financial position of the High Needs Block going forward with the establishment of a framework / continuum that meets the needs of pupils effectively. He offered the view that establishing this continuum may cost more in the short term for longer term gain. He stated that it is not clear yet how the components of the continuum will line up, though the SEMH review is working to do this. The Authority and the Schools Forum need to effectively engage with colleagues on these matters and also need to be clearer about financial arrangements (including rates of charges) and the timescales for implementation. The Vice Chair stressed that the Authority must ensure that any new sponsors of provision coming into the District are the right sponsors.

An Academies Member, also having declared his interest, reiterated the point made by the Vice Chair about the right sponsors. He added that the national picture of the growth of ‘stress’ in the SEND system is now very clear and that the implementation of the Authority’s places creation plan must not be further delayed. He offered the view that there is growing risk that, because of delay, by the time the plan is delivered it will be insufficient. He stressed the need now to review the plan in the light of the most recent demographic and needs data to ensure that places creation is future-proofed. He also stressed that action / decision / clarity (from the RSC) on the SEMH school and the position of the wave 13 free schools is now urgent.

The Chair emphasised to Members that the DSG’s financial position, which is set out in reports to this meeting, is based on plans for structural change, which if not delivered are likely to significantly affect the High Needs Block in 2018/19 and going forward. Members must be alive to the level of risk that is currently present within the forecasts.

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services, explained that the Authority, due to austerity, is currently engaged in change management programmes of significant volumes with overlapping consequences, in SEND, SEMH, early help, social care and transport, for example. We need to be clear about the risks and cumulative consequences and we also need to promote collective buy in to, and involvement in, these change management programmes. He offered the view that the Schools Forum has a role in challenging the Authority on these matters, but also in challenging and lobbying education colleagues regionally and nationally. The Born in Bradford and Opportunity Area (Research School) data will help this lobbying.

Resolved –

That information be presented to the Schools Forum at the next meeting in response to the requests and comments made by Members that are recorded in the minutes of this meeting following the presentation on the SEND and SEMH reviews given under agenda item 6.