The Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit Document “AC” which presents the revised proposed model for the restructuring of SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services for children and young people with SEND to improve their educational outcomes.

Members are asked to consider the report and comment as appropriate.

                                                                        (Judith Kirk – 01274 439255)

Previous references:  Executive, Minutes 9 and 73 (2017/18)

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services submitted Document “AC” which presented the revised proposed model for the restructuring of SEND (Special Educational Need and Disabilities) Specialist Teaching Support Services for children and young people with SEND to improve their educational outcomes. The model had been significantly amended further to feedback from the initial consultation process and due to the implications of the new National Funding Formula.

It was explained that:

·         The consultation on the revised model would be open until 28 February 2018 and a further report would then be considered by the Executive in April 2018.

·         The revised model was based on a locality model comprising four areas, with a High Incidence Team and a Low Incidence Team. High incidence covered the most common needs of which there were the highest numbers. The Low Incidence Teams would be located centrally.

·         This option would be 70% funded from High Needs Block and 30% from traded services across the entirety of the SEND function.

·         It was stressed that this provision was just one part of the whole SEND service which included Education Care and Health Plans (ECHPs), school places and the development of the SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) School.

The Deputy Director, Education, Employment and Skills responded to Member’s questions:

·         The Low Incidence Team had recently been restructured and it was not proposed to reduce the staffing any further.

·         A number of vacancies were currently being carried.

·         All posts were stated as Full Time Equivalent.

·         The locality split was part of the consultation; there were certain areas where there were higher numbers of low incidence cases.  The aim was to provide flexibility and to ensure that staff were available in the areas where they were needed.

·         The model would be constantly under review in respect of funding and it was not possible to predict whether this would change in the future.

·         The Equality Impact Assessment indicated that there was not expected to be any significant negative impact in respect of any of the protected characteristics and no disproportionate impact on any particular group.

·         There would not be any additional funding in 4 year’s time; the funding would just be what had been expected at this point, until then adjustments were having to be made to close the £2 million per annum High Needs Block funding gap resulting from the new National Funding Formula which was to be introduced from April 2018.

A representative of the Unite Union put forward a number of questions and concerns as follows:

·         It was questioned why there had been separate consultations on Early Help and Prevention and SEND as this was considered to have caused confusion.

·         How many children were waiting for ECHPs? The demand for these was rising.

·         No feasibility study had been undertaken in respect of the 30% traded services model; how was it known that this was achievable and what was the back up plan if there was a shortfall?

·         How much was traded within the current model?

·         Portage would be cut by 50% this would leave only 4 people to handle ECHPs for Reception children; there was already a significant backlog.  There would be an impact on the Authority’s ability to undertake the work within the appropriate timeframe.

The Deputy Director responded with the following information:

·         Although the model of delivery may end up being similar, the consultations in respect of Early Help and Prevention and SEND were around two very distinct and separate issues; the SEND consultation was about addressing achievement and attainment and the Prevention and Early Help was about the provision of wrap around support for vulnerable families.

·         The Authority was on target to convert all SEN statements to ECHPs by the nationally imposed deadline. 

·         The process for ECHPs had been changed, with effect from 1 January 2018, and had resulted in a more effective system.

·         On the basis of the information currently available, officers were confident that the 30% traded services funding model was viable.

·         There would be one point of referral whether for high or low incidence need. Often a child would have several different needs and each child would be considered as an individual. The two teams would work closely together but it was not believed that a locality model was the best option for low incidence.

·         A significant number of representations had already been received in respect of the proposed cuts in portage; these would be considered when the feedback to the consultation was assessed.

·         The figure of 25 posts was Full Time Equivalents.

·         The Service was already working in many of the ways described and teams operated flexibly in conjunction with colleagues. These proposals would just change how it was organised and should cut down on duplication and facilitate a more joined-up approach.

·         The revised model was expected to be considered by the Executive at its meeting to be held on 5 April 2018.

Resolved –

That Document “AC” be noted.

ACTION:       Strategic Director, Children’s Services