A report setting out progress on the Authority’s reviews, and the Authority’s SEND and SEMH strategy, will be presented, Document IV (Document to be circulated at a later date).

Recommended –

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

(Lynn Donohue – 01274 439606)

The Chair of the Forum introduced this item by reminding the Forum of the discussion at the last meeting and the request made by members that the Authority pulls together its reviews into a strategic ‘outcomes’ document. The Interim Strategic Lead, SEND and Behaviour, added that the Authority’s draft SEND strategy was being presented to the SEND Strategic Board this week and will be published for consultation in September and shared with the Forum at this point.

The Interim Strategic Lead, SEND and Behaviour and the SEND Planning and Project manager, with input from the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, presented Document IV. The presentation summarised the development of the reviews in key areas: of additional interim SEND and SEMH places, the status of the national free schools programme, the position of the re-advertising / brokering of the agreed new SEMH free school, the re-designation of PRU provision, the development of the behaviour continuum, local agreements and alternative provision and the Authority’s transport review.

The presentation emphasised the very significant issues the lack of basic needs capital is creating alongside the uncertainties of the national free school programme. The Strategic Director, Children’s Services explained that a letter is being sent from the Leader of the Council to Lord Agnew specifically on the issue of lack of SEND capital.

The Chair thanked the Strategic Director and officers for their detailed presentation. She stated that this information appears to very clearly confirm the outline view of members, given at the last meeting, that a ‘plan B’ is needed if sufficient places for high needs pupils are to be provided. She noted that the number of planned places needing to be delivered has crept up since initial consideration 3 years ago (400 increased from 300). The Chair welcomed the Authority’s action to raise the issue of the lack of SEND capital funds directly with Ministers and suggested that the Schools Forum also writes to Lord Agnew to support the Leader’s correspondence.

Forum members supported the Chair’s comments and added to these. An academies member stated that Bradford’s complex position is a ‘litmus test’ for what is now happening nationally. As such we are not an outlier and we have a right to lobby Government hard about the financial and provision issues that we face and where the Government’s response is not adequate. This view was supported by members. The SEND Planning and Project manager added that EBDOG is currently lobbying Government about the omission of SEND planning date in SCAP returns. The Business Advisor (Schools) also added that, as well as significant issues with a lack a capital funding, the Forum should not lose sight of the very significant High Needs Block revenue issues that the Authority will face in coming years should the damping in national funding formula not be released.

Resolved –

(1)       That the information provided in Document IV is welcomed and be       noted.

(2)       That a letter is sent from the Schools Forum to the Department for        Education (Lord Agnew), which sets out Bradford’s position on        High Needs revenue and capital funding and places sufficiency and which supports the correspondence from the Local Authority        to Lord Agnew on these matters.

ACTION:       Business Advisor (Schools)