Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which provided a summary of the work and impact of the Transforming SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Inclusion in Leicestershire (TSIL) programme. It sets out the progress since the update considered by the Committee on 5 September 2024, programme impact and next steps, as well as an overview of the current High Needs Block financial position. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 8’, is filed with these minutes.

The Scrutiny Commissioners were welcomed to the meeting for this item. The invitation was issued following a discussion on the TSIL Programme and the High Needs Block at the meeting of the Scrutiny Commission on 9 June 2025.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Children and Families stated that he was confident with the direction of travel set out within the report. The Service continued to operate within a challenging SEND environment and demand had spiked again this year. National reforms to children’s social care would be announced in the Autumn which would then to be introduced locally. Despite continued challenges, he stated that the Department had managed to make progress, reduce backlogs and improve timeliness.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)         In response to a question regarding a £6,000 per pupil notional SEND funding amount, which had remained unchanged since its introduction in 2014 despite rising costs and increasing demand for SEND provision, the Director stated that if the Department for Education were to review the figure it would be expected to increase to around £10,500 per pupil.

(ii)        A question was raised relating to whether national reforms to children’s social care were likely to have an impact on demand for EHCP’s. The Director stated that it was not clear what would be set out within the reforms. Following announcement of the reforms in the Autumn, primary legislation would be required and there would then need to be a period of implementation both nationally and locally. It was therefore unlikely that the reforms would have an immediate impact on growth. As challenges in this area continued, the Department would continue to work with mainstream schools in order to further develop the strategy for supporting inclusion within mainstream schools, wherever possible. Members noted that this work would be undertaken through the Change Programme Partnership.

(iii)       With regards to the timeliness of the assessment process for EHCP assessment requests, performance in Leicestershire remained below the national average. The Director stated that process improvements had enabled the SENA service to reduce backlogs and improve timeliness. Members noted that a lack of capacity for educational psychologists had contributed towards delays in the assessment process. The Department had developed a strategy for utilising alternative professionals to undertake elements of the assessment process, whilst educational psychologists would oversee the case. Work had also been undertaken with NHS partners to develop support for children who were waiting for a health assessment. The Department would also consider whether artificial intelligence (AI) could be utilised by the SENA service in order to reduce the time and resource required to process EHCP assessment information. 

(iv)      The Department would aim to improve the understanding of the assessment process through improved communication with parents and schools. In addition to this, the Department would undertake work in order to build the confidence of parents and schools to consider whether a child could be successful within a mainstream school without an EHCP in place. Members noted that schools could use a range of inclusion support without the need for an EHCP. Improving knowledge and understanding of the assessment process and the different levels of support available for children could reduce the demand of requests for needs assessments.

(v)        Members noted that the Department continued to await an inspection under a revised SEND Local Area Inspection Framework. The Framework had been introduced by the Government in April 2024. As national reforms to children’s social care would be announced in the Autumn, it was uncertain as to whether or not Ofsted would continue to deliver inspections under this Framework.

(vi)      With regards to complaints received by the SENA service, which had reduced by 70% from the previous year, the Director clarified that of the 446 complaints had been received relating to the Service, 72% had resulted in a fault found. The main themes of complaints received by the Service were complaints relating to decision making and delays in providing a service, as well as complaints relating to communication.

(vii)     Members noted that the Department had undertaken work in order to increase capacity within internal specialist schools as the places could often be delivered at a considerably lower cost than utilising independent schools. The Department would aim to further increase the number of internal specialist places through the development of an area based special school. However, the Director stated that increase levels of demand for specialist places continued to impact the supply of internal places.

(viii)    In response to concern raised regarding funding and demand pressures, members were assured that the Department would continue to undertake work in order to slow demand, improve the overall High Needs deficit position, and consider strategies for further improving internal service performance and inclusive practice across the SEND system. Members noted that rises in demand reinforced that the SEND system remained unsustainable. Uncertainty regarding what would be included within the White Paper proposed for release in Autumn 2025 was expected to continue to fuel demand until there was more clarity over proposed changes. The Director agreed that a report to update on progress with regards to SEND and inclusion, and the High Needs Block financial position, would be presented to the Committee at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the summary of the work and impact of the Transforming SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Inclusion in Leicestershire (TSIL) programme, the progress since the update considered by the Committee on 5 September 2024, programme impact and next steps, as well as an overview of the current High Needs Block financial position, be noted.

(b)       That the Director of Children and Family Services be requested to provide the Committee with an update on SEND and inclusion, and the High Needs Block financial position, at a future meeting.