Agenda item

Jane Moore introduced the report which sets out the position in respect of high needs expenditure and actions that are being taken to address increasing costs.

Jane outlined the priorities for the SEND Strategy priorities 2017 to 2020 which have been agreed and sit under this strategy.  The High Needs budget was overspent in 2016/17 by £2.5M with placement costs being the biggest expenditure.  For 2017/18 the budget was increased and the current forecast is £1.5M overspent.

Jane gave background information on the SEND placement costs and the individual provision Leicestershire currently provide.  A High Needs Project has now been established to look at budgets within the High Needs budget in order to identify savings.

Jane said that there were six workstreams under the project, one of which is the Specialist Teaching Service.  A review of this service will be launched in mid-March and will offer a more effective structure.  Jane added that significant work has been carried out on a traded offer and once restructured a paper will be presented to Forum giving a clearer overview of the trading offer.

Jane referred to Children with Medical Needs workstream which is an area of significant overspend.  Jane added that mental health and anxiety were areas of concern as the local authority have to rely on private providers to support children who are not able to be in school.  The current budget position is unsustainable and therefore work will be carried out to review every case and to look at the longer-term options.

The workstream of SEN Sufficiency and Provision has involved developing local provision for children with higher functioning needs through Maplewell and Birchwood which has been well received.  Secondary resource bases are already in place in Wigston and Shepshed and further resource bases have been agreed at Rawlins Academy, Hinckley Academy and Wigston All Saints Primary.  Jane outlined that significant work has been carried out to develop provision in the area of hearing impaired, conversations have been started with the behaviour partnerships about developing Emotional Social Mental Health provision and as part of the early years restructure additional provision to support children early on is being worked on.  For the post-16 area two independent colleges are working with the local authority on the offering to post-16 students.

Jean Lewis asked about the definition of post-16 and whether this was up to the age of 19.  Jenny commented before SEND reform SEN for local authorities related to 2-19 but this extended under reform to 0-25.

Jane commented that there a lot of issues about the transitions and co-working with Adults is taking place.  In addition, Jane said that she was currently working on a transitions policy.  Ros Hopkins commented that the 19-25 provision needs to be developed if the direction is to come away from this.  There are a minority of young people with complex needs which cannot be met in the FE sector. They would need to continue independent high quality provision which is not a clear alternative.

Jane informed the meeting that additional capacity will be added to the SEN Service to support the increased numbers of children coming through the system.  The changes include an additional SEN Officer to work in a person centred way with a view to preparing for adulthood and the post 16 SENCO to be mainstreamed.  The SEN Service will be reviewed so it is fit for the future.

Callum Orr expressed his thanks and appreciation to Jane on the areas of development which will make a massive difference.  Jane added that there was a real commitment to drive this forward and will ensure communication with schools continues.

Graham Bett echoed Callum Orr’s comment.  Graham referred to the trading within STS which will require moderating.  Jane acknowledged Graham’s comment and said that moderation will take place as there is huge competition in that area.  Part of the STS review would be the core offer and what can be traded.  Jane referred to a previous paper on STS Traded Service supported by Schools’ Forum and would like to revisit this again at the next meeting in June.  Graham commented that internal trading between schools and the County Council should be retained.

Karen Allen shared a concern raised by LPH colleagues that children with ESMH, ASD or an undiagnosed disorder are not able to get timely support and funding to meet their needs and as a result complex children exclusions have increased and this situation will only get worse.  Jane acknowledged the comment and said that part of the development is to increase resources to support these children.

School’s Forum noted the paper.