Decision details

(a)      That the representations (objections) received to the Statutory Notice be noted;

(b)      That the findings and recommendations arising from the Internal Audit investigation of the funding arrangements for the residential facilities and the related afterschool activities that precede overnight stays for pupils be noted;

(c)      That the residential facilities at Maplewell Hall School be removed (closed) with effect from September 2018 in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006;

(d)      That it be noted that the purpose of the Council’s High Needs Block is not to fund residential provision or social care needs, but to support the education of children with special educational needs and that the Block is under increasing pressure;

(e)      That further support be given to those pupils currently attending the School who have made use of the residential facilities and their families in the period leading up to the closure;

(f)       That in response to the request to delay closure, Mrs Taylor be advised that determining to proceed with the proposal set out in the Statutory Notice does not prevent the School producing a business case to maintain the residential facilities, although it is re-confirmed that no pupils placed at the School have residential provision named in their Education Health and Care Plans.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Although there have been some objections to the Statutory Notice proposals, the overriding majority of the reasons put forward to keep the residential facilities open do not relate directly to an educational need.  There are no pupils at Maplewell Hall who have been assessed as needing educational residential provision as stated in their Education Health and Care Plans.

The Internal Audit report indicates that a significant proportion of funding provided to the School for the residential facilities has not been used for that purpose. 

There is significant pressure on the Council’s High Needs Block (HNB) budget which funds the residential provision.  The HNB budget is solely for the purpose of providing education for pupils with special educational needs (SEN).  It should not be used to fund children’s social care needs, including respite care or short breaks.

The closure of the residential facilities in September 2018 will allow for appropriate support to be put in place (where assessed to be required) for families and pupils affected by the change.

Removal of the residential funding will not affect afterschool activities as these are operated separately by the School, supported by parental contributions.