Agenda item

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21 June 2016 were agreed subject to an amendment on page 10, agenda item 6 (High Needs Funding), paragraph 6 should read “David Atterbury commented that place planning was a more expensive provision out of county …revenue expenses”.

Matters Arising

Forum Membership

The representation of Secondary Academy Headteachers was raised and Schools’ Forum noted there are 6 nominated Governors, 4 of which are members of the Schools’ Forum.

Children and Family Services

Paul Meredith updated the Schools’ Forum on the interim appointment to the Department to replace Chris Bristow as strategic lead for SEND.  Christine Finnigan would be joining the Department on 24 October as strategic lead for SEND and Children with Disabilities.  The job description had been adjusted to include children disability services to allow links to be made between SEND and children’s social care.  Paul outlined that as part of Christine’s brief she would be developing a multi-agency strategy and setting up a SEND Forum in order to help deliver the SEND Strategy.  Paul asked the Forum to appreciate that this was a long-term plan as the current model was not sustainable.

Unfortunately a new director was not appointed and therefore the appointment process will reconvene.  Paul added that the other priority was to undertake a new structure for the Department as soon as possible.  Paul outlined the Assistant Director structure and informed the meeting that adverts that would be going out for these posts.

SEND

Jean Lewis raised concerns about the difficulties of engaging NHS representatives to work with SEN pupils in schools.  Paul confirmed that the relationship between CFS and Health is a matter that needs to be addressed as part of SEND Reform and work to take place on the high needs action plan.

Karen Allen commented that it was really heartening that the local authority recognise that there are a number of reasons for increasing high need expenditure including out of county provision as schools were receiving mixed messages around schools pushing up costs and pressing for specialist provision.  Calculating the actual cost of additional provision has pushed the price over £6,000 and has led to increasing costs.  

Paul said that high costs placements were being looked at and that transport was a significant factor.  Jean Lewis commented that there was a lack of provision for autistic placements.  David Atterbury commented that this was the gap we are trying to close and stated that there was a free school bid at the moment to do this.

Jenny commented that the cost and numbers had gone up across the board and outlined some of the costs.

Karen Rixon commented that the diagnosis levels for children and young people are immense resulting in escalating pressure for schools.

Paul reiterated that health was a very important part of this process but more joined up working with health was needed.

Jean Lewis commented that the new appointee should look at both sides of the SEND problem and bring in the health professionals.  There are threats to cut transport for those children who have disabilities.  Paul commented that no decision had been made on transport costs but had noted the comment.

Graham asked if there was any invest to save money for this particular problem.  Jenny commented that there is not at the moment and cannot present an Invest to Save now but could do so in the future.  Graham expressed his disappointment for this not to be included in the allocation for the County Council’s 2016/17 underspend.  Jenny commented that there is funding for invest to save if schemes were supported and evidenced within a business case.

Suzanne asked what plans there are to speak to the CCG’s NHS England about issues around the over prescribing children going back to school and the removal of specialist nursing.

Paul said that partnership working with health was under developed and meetings were currently taking place with NHS colleagues.

The Forum asked for Christine Finnigan to bring a progress report to the next Schools’ Forum.