A progress report on the SEND and SEHM reviews will be presented.

Recommended –

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

(Judith Kirk – 01274 431078)

The Business Advisor (Schools) introduced this item by giving a presentation verbally on the position of the SEMH and SEND reviews. In summary:

·         The minutes of Forum meetings record a number of comments and requests made by Members, both generally and for specific consideration, as well as record an ‘uplifting’ of Members’ concerns about what is needed to ensure the successful delivery of the significant change management programmes currently underway and the risks within these programmes as well as their immediacy. Specific requests and comments have been made on:

o   The process (and knock on consequences) for the re-designation of primary PRU and Ellar Carr

o   The position of wave 13 free schools and what are the Council’s ‘plan B’ options

o   The position of the SEMH free school

o   The position of the delivery of interim places

o   The Council’s capital plan in particular with reference to how this is supporting the creation of SEND places in the interim and also how it can support the alternative provision review

o   The Council’s home to school transport plan

o   The concern to ensure that the creation of places is ‘future-proofed’ based on latest demographic data

o   The nature of the model that would be used to trade with schools in the delivery of specialist teaching support

o   The financing of redundancies that may come from the SEND review

o   The development of local financial agreements relating to permanent exclusion and the Council’s Fair Access Policy

o   The role of health services

·         The Business Advisor stressed that, although he is not able at this stage to give categorical answers to a number of these questions and comments, he can re-assure Forum Members that these are noted and have been shared. He explained that he is also able to describe the developments that have taken place since the Forum last met. He stated that what will also become clear is that Members of the Forum have also thought closely about the way forward and have proposals to share on these. The Business Advisor drew the attention of Members to the additional reports that are tabled from the Vice Chair and an Academies Member.

·         The Business Advisor stated that he wished specifically to bring to the Forum’s attention the concerns that have been raised with the Authority more formally by the District Achievement Partnership (DAP). The DAP has asked the Authority to more urgently look at the position of top up funding for the special schools sector and has asked for a closer assessment of whether the children currently in special schools in Ranges 4D - 4A (mainstream ranges) have been placed in the funding bands appropriate to their needs. This is an evidence-based piece of work that the Authority is now actively engaged in.

·         The Forum should also be aware:

o   That progress is continuing to be made on implementing the financial arrangements associated with the commissioner’s direct funding of non-EHCP placements in District PRU, Central PRU and the primary behaviour centres from September. Some concerns are still being expressed about the impact of new top up funding arrangements from September 2018 on certain settings, which the Authority is talking to settings about.

o   The Authority is now initiating conversations about establishing a ‘local agreement’ for the primary sector.

o   The consultation feedback on the SEND Review of specialist teaching services and the review of Prevention and Early Help is scheduled to presented to the Executive for decision at the beginning of April. Decisions on the expansion of maintained special schools and DSPs in maintained mainstream schools, which will formally enable the first 2 tranches of interim places, are expected to be taken at this meeting. We still await approval from the RSC for the expansion of academy settings.

o   The DfE has given the Authority the permission to seek a new sponsor for the SEMH free school and the Authority will now actively progress this.

o   A number of very positive meetings have taken place in recent weeks bringing together parties interested in the development of the District’s behaviour continuum. Expressions of interest are now being collected with the aim of shaping this provision. There are a number of ‘moving parts’ here to settle but the purpose is to develop with schools and academies a clear strategic plan for the development of alternative provision places in both the short and longer terms. It is also expected that the settling of these moving parts will also enable the re-designation of the 2 identified PRUs to special schools.

o   The Authority, with key partners, is scheduled to meet with the RSC on 26 March to discuss this plan as well as the position of wave 13 free schools and the SEMH school. This meeting will pull together a number of conference calls with the RSCs office that have taken place. We expect greater clarity and action to come from this meeting.

Following this update, the Chair invited both the Vice Chair and the Academies Member to present their reports.

The Academies Member introduced his report by stressing the extent to which resources for high needs pupils, along with the pupils themselves, currently sit within the Schools Block and mainstream provision and the extent to which the development of academies will influence the shape of our high needs provision going forward. He asserted that it is crucial that MATs work in collaboration within an agreed ‘Bradford’ structure /’ framework. We must safeguard the position of our High Needs Block going forward. The Member put forward the proposition that the Authority establishes and chairs a ‘High Needs Block Steering Group’ (indicatively titled), as a standing group of the Schools Forum, that any setting or organisation that provides high needs services in Bradford can participate in. The role of this group will be developed, but this will include recommending to the Forum and the Authority the framework through which providers will deliver high needs provision and will access funding from Bradford’s High Needs Block.

The Vice Chair presented his report, which also proposed the establishment of a ‘steering group’. He emphasised the multi-layered complex landscape and the possibility for unintended consequences. A key job of the steering group will be to model and monitor holistically the impact and consequences of decisions and developments.

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services, welcomed the proposal for the establishment of a ‘steering group’. He stated that the terms of reference of this group, as well as the membership, will need to be clarified. He asked, for example, whether the Regional Schools Commissioner, should be invited to be a member. The Chair suggested that this would be a good idea but should not delay the establishment of the group. Within his response on this proposal, the Strategic Director provided some information about interim leadership arrangements following the departure of the current Deputy Director. He confirmed that the Interim Director for Access and Inclusion will be asked to bring together the steering group.  

Resolved –

(1)       That the update on the progress of the SEMH and SEND reviews          be noted.

(2)       That the two additional reports tabled at the meeting by Members         be welcomed.

(3)       That the Local Authority establishes a new standing Schools     Forum sub-  group, indicatively titled the ‘High Needs Block         Steering Group’, with the membership and remit of this group to            be developed in consultation with the Schools Forum. That this            group be established as quickly as possible.

Action:          Strategic Director, Children’s Services