Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities the purpose of which was to share the findings of the consultation on the future of the Transitions Learning Programme (TLP) and to seek the views of the Committee on the proposals to close the service. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 11’ is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion the following points were made:

       i.          Two young people continued to access the TLP, both of whom had profound, multiple learning difficulties. When consulting on the service, other similar provision was discussed that would meet the needs of the young people, however, both of the young people’s families felt that those schools weren’t appropriate.  

      ii.          Discussions continued with the families, and packages were being developed around each of the young people, each of whom had an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), which meant there was a statutory obligation upon the County Council to deliver the provision set out within these.  Members were assured that this did not change with regards to their educational needs which would still have to be met. The packages would also need to ensure other provisions, such as access to occupational therapy and a speech and language therapist.

    iii.          From a legal perspective the packages would come under education other than in schools, which were packages developed for other children and young people in Leicestershire. The packages for the two young people involved would be highly complex, because of the complex needs of the two young people, but from a multi-agency perspective.  By working with the families, there was confidence that adequate provision would be put in place to satisfy their ongoing needs as currently required in their EHCPs.

    iv.          Members queried what the difference would be for the two young people affected in terms of the service currently provided against what might be proposed, and how their transition across to the new provision would be managed. Members sought assurance that the process would be made as comfortable as possible for the young people and their families. Officers reported that there were concerns raised by the parents in terms of provision being delivered in the home environment.  It was recognised that providing this outside the home did provide and important respite element for the families.  However, by looking at alternative providers and working with NHS colleagues to provide a community base that could accommodate equipment required, it was felt that a package could be put in place. Parents would be involved in the discussions throughout to ensure any disruption during the transition would be minimised.

     v.          Members queried if the new provision would be detrimental or better than the current TLP provision. Officers reported that the provision would meet the needs detailed with the young people’s EHCP but that this would be different, and it was recognised that for young people with significant disabilities, any change could be disruptive and a time of upheaval and stress, for them and their families.  Officers would however seek to minimise this as much as possible through continued discussion with the families.

    vi.          Work would continue to ensure the new package for the two young people affected was put in place for September.  It was acknowledged that the timing would be tight, but that as conversations had taken place over a period of time, with the needs and views of families being considered throughout, officers considered this to be achievable.

  vii.          Members were reassured that the young people had some respite outside of school time and that this would remain unchanged irrespective of whether or not the TLP continued.

 viii.          In response to a query, Members were informed that each young person with an EHCP had an annual review, so the packages of the two young people would be reviewed in this way and the views of the parents and carers, and the views of both the young people, would be taken into account as part of this process. Though the young people had very limited ability to express views, it was possible to know whether they were happy or experiencing distress and so the position would be monitored throughout.

    ix.          Members acknowledged the financial reasons for the removal of the TLP.  Members were reminded that the service cost around £350,000 per annum, but at full capacity it would still run at a deficit, as it was costing more than the funding received to run the service.  The Programme could accommodate 7 young people in total and so was currently operating at a bigger deficit due to there being only two learners within the programme.  The Director explained that the TLP was funded through three routes: Special Educational Needs; Adult and Community Services; Adult Education Services. Funding through special educational needs was funded on an individual basis, therefore, the fewer learners enrolled, the less funding was allocated, which meant the funding received was less than the cost of provision.

     x.          A Member queried what would happen if the alternative external provision cost the Council more than the current provision should a provider increase its costs in the future. Officers reported that for the two young people there would need to be very specific commissioning, therefore the package would have a cost implication, but with planning and working with special schools and colleges moving forward provision would be ensured within the system to be able to manage these costs effectively.

    xi.          Members sought assurance that they would be kept informed on the transition of the two young people to their new service provision. The Director undertook to provide Committee Members with an update after a period of settlement.

  xii.          Members noted that the support provided to the individuals would, from September 2024, fall under the remit of the Children and Family Services Department and would therefore be reported, as appropriate, to the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Members urged that there be continued monitoring of the provision to the young learners included in the recommendation to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the report on the Outcome of the Consultation on the Future of the Transitions Learning Programme be noted.

b)    That, should the Cabinet’s decision be to close the TLP, the Director be requested to, provide an update on the transition of the two young people affected following a period of settlement and that the Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee be notified of the Committee’s  concerns regarding their transition and urged to also monitor their progress as considered appropriate, in discussion with the Director of Children and Family Services.